Federal Judge to Hear Arguments on Trump Administration's National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles
A federal judge in San Francisco will hear arguments on California's lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles for law enforcement duties.
Overview
- A federal judge in San Francisco is scheduled to hear arguments concerning the Trump administration's deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles for domestic law enforcement.
- California, led by Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta, filed a lawsuit on June 9, seeking to regain state control over the deployed National Guard forces.
- The central legal issue in the case revolves around the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the president from using the military as a domestic police force.
- The Department of Defense initially deployed approximately 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines, with about 250 members reportedly remaining in Los Angeles.
- Federal appeals courts have previously ruled in favor of the Trump administration, affirming continued federal authority over the National Guard's presence in Los Angeles.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the legal challenges and constitutional concerns surrounding the Trump administration's deployment of the National Guard. They highlight state objections and court rulings that question the legality and necessity of the federal action, focusing on potential overreach and the limits of presidential authority in domestic law enforcement.
"The case, which is expected to continue through Wednesday, could set a precedent for how the Trump administration handles future deployments of federal troops in D.C., Baltimore and other cities led by Democratic mayors."
NBC News"The trial in San Francisco could set precedent for how Trump can deploy the guard in the future in California or other states."
Military Times"The case could set precedent for how Trump can deploy the guard in the future in California or other states."
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FAQ
The Posse Comitatus Act, enacted in 1878, prohibits the use of the U.S. military to enforce domestic civilian laws under normal circumstances. California's lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration violated this act by deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles for law enforcement duties during protests, which is a central legal issue in the case.
Initially, about 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines were deployed to Los Angeles. As of the latest reports, approximately 250 National Guard members remain deployed in the city.
California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, oppose the deployment, labeling it illegal. They filed a lawsuit seeking to regain state control over the National Guard forces, requested disclosure of the taxpayer costs of the deployment, and have sought to end the federal use of California Guard troops for law enforcement.
Federal appeals courts have previously ruled in favor of the Trump administration, affirming federal authority to maintain the deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles. A temporary restraining order against the deployment was granted initially but was later stayed by an appeals court allowing the continuation of troop usage.
California's Governor Newsom has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to uncover the total cost to taxpayers of the deployment. Early Pentagon testimony estimated the cost at $134 million, highlighting concerns over the fiscal impact of what California deems an unlawful deployment.
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