A U.S. appeals court has allowed Donald Trump to maintain control over California’s National Guard as Governor Gavin Newsom continues to challenge the legality of the president’s deployment of troops to address protests in Los Angeles. The court extended a pause on a ruling that deemed Trump’s actions unlawful, citing his failure to coordinate with the governor and the absence of conditions warranting federal intervention.
Judge Charles Breyer’s decision to return control of the National Guard to Newsom was temporarily halted by the 9th Circuit panel, sparking discussions on the extent of judicial oversight in presidential deployments of troops. The law specifies criteria for federalizing state National Guard forces, such as in cases of invasion or rebellion against the government.
Trump’s deployment of troops in response to immigration-related protests in Los Angeles stirred national controversy, with California arguing that the situation did not constitute a rebellion necessitating military intervention. The administration defended its actions by stating that troops were safeguarding federal assets rather than engaging in law enforcement.
The 9th Circuit panel, comprising judges appointed by Trump and Joe Biden, is at the center of this legal battle over the president’s authority to deploy troops domestically. The outcome of this case will have implications for the balance of power between federal and state governments in matters of national security and civil unrest.
