A federal judge has ruled that President Donald Trump acted illegally by deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles without California’s approval, sparking a fierce legal and political battle.
US District Judge Charles Breyer said on Thursday that Trump must return control of the California National Guard to Governor Gavin Newsom. In a detailed 36-page opinion, Breyer said the recent protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids did not justify the president's decision, stating the unrest was not the “rebellion” Trump had claimed.
“This is an extraordinary intrusion on the President’s constitutional authority as Commander in Chief,” the Department of Justice argued in an emergency appeal. Breyer's order was temporarily paused until Friday to allow time for an appeal, and a higher court quickly extended that pause to consider the matter further, scheduling a hearing for June 17. This means Trump will keep control of the National Guard through the weekend, when more protests are expected.
The demonstrations in Los Angeles were sparked by aggressive federal immigration raids. While the protests have included looting, vandalism, and even the burning of driverless taxis, Breyer ruled they fell well short of a situation that would justify federal military intervention.
Trump had sent 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 US Marines to Los Angeles, defying local officials who insisted they had the situation under control. This marked the first time since 1965 that a president overrode a state governor’s wishes to deploy the National Guard. Critics say Trump’s move is a dangerous overreach of power, with some accusing him of acting like a dictator.
Governor Newsom welcomed the court ruling, saying, “Trump is not a monarch, he is not a king, and he should stop acting like one.”
The tension grew worse after California Senator Alex Padilla was handcuffed and removed from a press conference while questioning Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Video shows Padilla being pushed to the ground and restrained, sparking outrage among Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the incident “totalitarian” and demanded an investigation.
As protests grow and critics speak out, Trump continues to stand by his actions. He has claimed credit for “making Los Angeles safe” and criticized Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, for “losing control.”
Breyer’s ruling comes just two days before the national “No Kings” protests and a military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the US Army’s 250th anniversary—and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.
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