Federal Judge Rules Trump’s National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles Unlawful
LOS ANGELES — A U.S. federal judge ruled Thursday that former President Donald Trump acted outside his legal authority by deploying the National Guard to manage protests in Los Angeles. The court ordered control of the California National Guard be returned to the state and Governor Gavin Newsom.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, which takes effect Friday, marks a major legal victory for California officials who had contested the federal intervention. Breyer found that Trump’s actions violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded the powers granted to the president under federal law.
In his opinion, Breyer criticized the federal deployment for worsening tensions during the protests and undermining public safety. He emphasized that the militarization of Los Angeles deprived the state of critical National Guard resources needed to respond to ongoing emergencies, including wildfire management and the fentanyl crisis.
“Plaintiffs and the citizens of Los Angeles face greater harm from the continued unlawful militarisation of their city,” the judge wrote. “This not only risks escalating hostilities but also deprives the state of vital resources for firefighting, drug enforcement, and other essential operations.”
The decision sets a potential precedent for state-federal disputes over military authority during civil unrest and could influence future legal interpretations of executive power.
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