Federal Court Rules President Trump Can Keep Control of Deployed National Guard in Los Angeles

An appellate court has confirmed that the President retains authority over the National Guard troops he sent to Los Angeles to manage riots related to federal immigration raids. President Trump viewed this ruling as a significant victory.

Previously, a lower court suggested that Trump may have overstepped his constitutional authority by deploying the troops without approval from California’s Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom. This marked the first instance since 1965 where a president federalized a state National Guard without state permission. The Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals, based in San Francisco, indicated, however, that the president’s actions were within the bounds of his statutory powers given the violence at the protests.

The court noted that protesters had previously attacked federal officers, damaged federal property, and even attacked a federal van. The court emphasized the federal government’s interest in preventing such violence.

While Newsom argued that the move escalated tensions and misused local resources, the court ruled that the president’s authority was justified under current law, even if proper notification to the governor was lacking. President Trump celebrated the decision, asserting that federal agencies should intervene when local police are unable to control unrest.

“The federal government’s interest in preventing incidents like these is significant,”

Gavin Newsom stated he would continue fighting the federal overreach, criticizing what he called an “authoritarian” use of military force against citizens. The lawsuit was initiated when Newsom sought to block Trump’s attempt to federalize the Guard, but a federal judge earlier ruled that Trump exceeded his legal authority, which is typically granted during rebellion or danger.

Despite the legal setback for Trump, the control of the National Guard remains under federal jurisdiction as legal proceedings continue. The Trump administration also faced criticism for directing immigration enforcement agencies to conduct deportations in other Democratic-led cities.