In a recent court session, a federal appeals court deliberated on the contentious issue of whether President Donald Trump unlawfully federalized California’s National Guard members to enhance security in Los Angeles during immigration enforcement unrest. The three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments regarding a federal judge’s ruling that mandated Trump to release control of the guardsmen. Judge Charles Breyer’s directive stemmed from the conclusion that Trump had violated legal provisions by bypassing the governor when federalizing state troops. However, two panel members, both Trump appointees, expressed skepticism about this finding, questioning California’s attorney on the matter.

Judge Mark Bennett queried why sending the order to the state’s top general was insufficient, suggesting that the adjutant general effectively acted as a substitute for the governor. Meanwhile, Judge Eric Miller criticized the state’s argument, deeming it a convoluted way to impose consultation requirements not mandated by law. California contended that the president should have directly communicated with Governor Gavin Newsom, allowing for consultation on the deployment plans. The panel also scrutinized the Trump administration’s compliance with other legal provisions regarding federalizing troops, with the administration’s attorney asserting that courts should not question the president’s determinations. The evolving story continues to unfold, promising further updates as the legal proceedings progress.