Federal Judge Thwarts Trump Administration's Attempt to Federally Control California National Guard in Los Angeles
In a significant court ruling, a US district judge on Wednesday morning issued an order blocking the deployment of national guard troops by the federal government in Los Angeles, directing their return to control under California Governor Gavin Newsom. The move comes as part of ongoing litigation challenging the Trump administration's authority and rationale for maintaining command over the national guard units.
In June, the federal government took a highly unusual step by federally controlling California's national guard, dispatching approximately 4,000 troops in response to protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids. Despite Newsom's swift opposition to the move and subsequent lawsuit against the administration, the situation remained fluid until the court intervened.
The Trump administration had argued that recent protests against aggressive enforcement by federal immigration authorities constituted a rebellion, thereby justifying the federal takeover of state-controlled national guard units without the consent of California Governor. However, a US district judge, Charles Breyer, rejected this claim in Wednesday's ruling.
Breyer appeared skeptical of the administration's argument during a hearing last Friday and expressed concerns about the potential for indefinite control over the state's national guard. The judge ultimately issued a preliminary injunction ordering the return of California's remaining 100-odd national guard troops to the state's command, pending further review on Monday.
The deployment of federalized national guard units was initially met with widespread opposition from local residents and community leaders, who saw it as an overreach by the Trump administration. The move came as a response to growing protests in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement practices.
California officials had sought the court's intervention to reclaim control of its national guard troops, arguing that the federal takeover was unprecedented and unconstitutional. With this ruling, Newsom has secured a significant victory, restoring state-level authority over the California National Guard.
The development marks another turning point in the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and state governments over issues related to immigration enforcement and executive power.
In a significant court ruling, a US district judge on Wednesday morning issued an order blocking the deployment of national guard troops by the federal government in Los Angeles, directing their return to control under California Governor Gavin Newsom. The move comes as part of ongoing litigation challenging the Trump administration's authority and rationale for maintaining command over the national guard units.
In June, the federal government took a highly unusual step by federally controlling California's national guard, dispatching approximately 4,000 troops in response to protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids. Despite Newsom's swift opposition to the move and subsequent lawsuit against the administration, the situation remained fluid until the court intervened.
The Trump administration had argued that recent protests against aggressive enforcement by federal immigration authorities constituted a rebellion, thereby justifying the federal takeover of state-controlled national guard units without the consent of California Governor. However, a US district judge, Charles Breyer, rejected this claim in Wednesday's ruling.
Breyer appeared skeptical of the administration's argument during a hearing last Friday and expressed concerns about the potential for indefinite control over the state's national guard. The judge ultimately issued a preliminary injunction ordering the return of California's remaining 100-odd national guard troops to the state's command, pending further review on Monday.
The deployment of federalized national guard units was initially met with widespread opposition from local residents and community leaders, who saw it as an overreach by the Trump administration. The move came as a response to growing protests in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement practices.
California officials had sought the court's intervention to reclaim control of its national guard troops, arguing that the federal takeover was unprecedented and unconstitutional. With this ruling, Newsom has secured a significant victory, restoring state-level authority over the California National Guard.
The development marks another turning point in the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and state governments over issues related to immigration enforcement and executive power.