In a recent development, an appeals court decision has allowed President Donald Trump to maintain control over National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles amid protests over immigration raids. This decision overturns a lower court ruling that deemed Trump’s activation of the soldiers illegal, despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom. The deployment marked the first instance of a president federalizing a state National Guard without the governor’s consent since 1965.

The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously concluded that Trump likely lawfully exercised his authority in taking control of the guard. The court highlighted the violent acts by protesters, including attacks on federal officers and buildings, as a rationale for federalizing the National Guard. It also noted that Newsom lacked the power to veto the president’s order, even if proper notification procedures were not followed.

Trump celebrated the decision on social media, emphasizing the importance of providing protection when local authorities are unable to do so. While Newsom expressed disappointment over Trump retaining control of the Guard, he welcomed the court’s rejection of the president’s claim of unchecked authority over the National Guard.

This ruling has broader implications for the president’s power to deploy soldiers within the U.S., particularly in response to Trump’s directive to prioritize deportations from Democratic-run cities. The legal battle between Trump and Newsom underscores the tension between restoring order and respecting local authority. As the protests in Los Angeles subside, the lawsuit challenging Trump’s use of military forces against citizens continues to unfold under federal control of the California National Guard.