The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that despite opposition from city leaders and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, President Donald Trump could control the National Guard forces he deployed to Los Angeles.
Trump deployed troops in response to widespread protests against his immigrant crackdown. Local officials say this is an unnecessary provocation.
A three-judge panel said Thursday that he has the authority to order the troops to “protect federal personnel… [and] property.” Trump calls it a “big victory.”
The decision prevented the ruling of the lower judge who found Trump illegally acted while mobilizing the troops.
In this earlier ruling, Mr. Charles Breyer said Trump “did not” follow the laws enacted by Congress on deploying state civilian guards.
“His actions are illegal … so he must immediately return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of California,” he wrote in his decision.
However, the judge continued until June 13 to give the Trump administration time to appeal it, which was done almost immediately thereafter.
Thursday’s unanimous ruling said that Trump “had not issued a federalization order directly through the California governor and did not limit his otherwise legal power to summon the National Guard.”
“It’s much bigger than Gavin [Newsom]because throughout the United States, if our cities and our people need protection, then we are the ones who provide protection to them.
He also congratulated the court, adding: “The United States is proud of you tonight!”
However, the 38-page ruling says judges disagree with the president in the case of the merits of legal challenges against the use of the National Guard. It said his decision to use the troops was “not completely isolated from judicial review.”
Newsom answered the decision, saying the court “correctly rejected Trump’s claim that he could do whatever he wanted with the National Guard without having to explain himself to the court.
“We will not let this authoritarian use of military soldiers on citizens unrestricted,” he wrote on X, adding: “Donald Trump is not the king, nor the law.”
The court’s ruling allowed the continued deployment of approximately 4,000 soldiers to Los Angeles. The Trump administration said they have been protecting federal immigration agents and federal property during the attack.
It said it cost California’s National Guard to restore order and protect immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) agents to conduct raids in Los Angeles to detain people they believe are illegal in the country.
Despite the news objection, Trump also ordered 700 Marines to enter the city.
The National Guard was last deployed by the President more than 50 years ago without the consent of the governor.
Health & Wellness Contributor
A wellness enthusiast and certified nutrition advisor, Meera covers everything from healthy living tips to medical breakthroughs. Her articles aim to inform and inspire readers to live better every day.
