Federal Judge Blocks Trump's LA National Guard Deployment; White House Vows Appeal
A federal judge blocked President Trump's National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, returning control to Governor Newsom. California celebrates the ruling, while the White House plans to appeal.
Overview
- US District Judge Charles Breyer definitively blocked President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, ordering an immediate end to the operation.
- The ruling returns control of the California National Guard to Governor Gavin Newsom, who hailed the decision as a significant victory for democracy and state authority.
- Judges criticized the Trump administration's justification for federalizing the Guard, with one reportedly calling President Trump a 'law breaker' for the unauthorized deployment.
- Approximately 4,000 California National Guard troops were initially federalized in June for Los Angeles, though numbers had already decreased to about 100 with none on the streets.
- White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson confirmed the administration's intention to appeal the federal judge's ruling to end the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the Trump administration's perceived overreach and legal challenges regarding National Guard deployments. They highlight the judge's "sharp rebuke" and strong legal reasoning, portraying the administration's actions as a threat to federalism and executive power limits. The narrative focuses on "legal setbacks" and scholarly concerns, while the administration's defense is presented more briefly.
"Judge Breyer's ruling went on to say that the administration's "argument for a president to hold unchecked power to control state troops would wholly upend the federalism that is at the heart of our system of government.""
NPR"Breyer noted attempts to use the state troops elsewhere, accusing the Trump administration of 'effectively creating a national police force made up of state troops.'"
Military Times"Breyer criticized the Trump administration in his 35-page order for continuing to retain control of roughly 300 Guardsmen when there is no evidence the execution of federal law was hindered "in any way.""
CBS News"Judge Breyer seemed to question the need for troops to remain in the city months later."
BBC News"The Trump administration must stop deploying the California National Guard in Los Angeles and return control of the troops to the state, a federal judge ruled Wednesday."
Associated Press"A federal judge on Dec. 10 blocked President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles and ordered Gov. Gavin Newsom be given back control of the guardsmen."
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FAQ
The federal judge blocked the deployment because it violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the military from participating in civilian law enforcement without explicit congressional authorization. The judge ruled that the administration failed to establish a valid constitutional exception to this law, making the deployment illegal.
The federalized National Guard troops assisted federal law enforcement with security patrols, traffic and crowd control, and riot response, which are considered law enforcement activities prohibited by the Posse Comitatus Act when performed by military personnel.
The administration claimed federalizing the Guard was permitted under a law that allows the president to call up the Guard to repel invasions, suppress rebellion, or step in for overwhelmed civilian authorities. They also argued the Constitution’s Take Care Clause gave the president inherent authority to protect federal functions and property, even without Congress’s approval.
Governor Gavin Newsom hailed the ruling as a significant victory for democracy and state authority, as it returned control of the California National Guard to him from the federal government.
The White House plans to appeal the federal judge’s ruling that ended the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, as confirmed by White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson.
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