A federal appeals court is considering whether President Donald Trump will retain control over California National Guard troops deployed in response to protests in Los Angeles. The district court had ordered Trump to return control to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who opposed the deployment, citing illegal actions by the president. However, a three-judge panel temporarily halted this order, prompting a hearing on the matter, which could eventually involve the Supreme Court.

During the San Francisco hearing, the judges, including two Trump appointees and one by President Joe Biden, indicated a belief in broad presidential authority under the law at hand. Despite this, they seemed unconvinced by arguments that Trump’s decision was beyond judicial review.

The deployment of the National Guard without the governor’s consent is a rare move, with potential wide-reaching implications for Trump’s authority to deploy troops in other cities. The case also delves into the interpretation of legal statutes and the balance of power between federal and state governments.

The debate centers on whether Trump’s actions were justified in response to the protests or if they infringed on state sovereignty and civil liberties. Newsom, who challenged Trump’s deployment, argued that the president’s actions were excessive and potentially dangerous. The court’s decision could impact future interactions between federal and state authorities in similar situations.