In a contentious legal battle, an appeals court has permitted the Trump administration to maintain its control over the California National Guard troops stationed in Los Angeles amidst protests against immigration policies.
Court Ruling Allows Trump Administration to Keep National Guard in Los Angeles
Court Ruling Allows Trump Administration to Keep National Guard in Los Angeles
Appeals court temporarily stays federal ruling to return control of National Guard troops to California state authorities.
The appeals court has temporarily blocked an earlier federal judge's ruling requiring President Trump's administration to relinquish control of California's National Guard, a move deemed illegal by the lower court. The decision followed concerns raised by California Governor Gavin Newsom and local officials who criticized the deployment of troops as an unnecessary escalation. They argued that the National Guard is traditionally under the state governor's authority and should not be used to manage civil unrest.
Federal Judge Charles Breyer ruled that Trump's directive was in violation of laws governing National Guard deployments, stating, "He did not ... His actions were illegal." However, he postponed the enforcement of his order until late Friday to allow the Trump administration time to appeal. Following this pause, President Trump swiftly appealed the decision.
The military presence, reportedly utilized to facilitate Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, has drawn criticism from Newsom, who asserted that "the military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets." Trump deployed approximately 4,000 National Guard troops to assist in managing protests around LA, where over 300 arrests were made, amid heightened tensions regarding immigration enforcement.
During extensive court proceedings, the Justice Department contended that Governor Newsom had been informed and did not require consultation. However, Judge Breyer firmly rejected this assertion, emphasizing the limits on presidential authority over the National Guard. The appeals court is scheduled for a hearing on the matter next Tuesday.
Historically, the deployment of National Guard without the consent of state governors has been rare, last occurring over half a century ago during civil rights protests. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has avoided specifics on compliance with the ruling but reiterated the need for a unified command structure within the armed forces.
The outcome of this case is significant in light of the ongoing protests in Los Angeles, which have not reached levels warranting federal intervention, according to California officials. The situation continues to unfold as legal challenges and public protests persist in reaction to federal immigration policies.
Overall, the Trump administration's use of military forces in civil affairs raises complex legal and ethical questions regarding governance, authority, and the limits of executive power in America.
Federal Judge Charles Breyer ruled that Trump's directive was in violation of laws governing National Guard deployments, stating, "He did not ... His actions were illegal." However, he postponed the enforcement of his order until late Friday to allow the Trump administration time to appeal. Following this pause, President Trump swiftly appealed the decision.
The military presence, reportedly utilized to facilitate Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, has drawn criticism from Newsom, who asserted that "the military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets." Trump deployed approximately 4,000 National Guard troops to assist in managing protests around LA, where over 300 arrests were made, amid heightened tensions regarding immigration enforcement.
During extensive court proceedings, the Justice Department contended that Governor Newsom had been informed and did not require consultation. However, Judge Breyer firmly rejected this assertion, emphasizing the limits on presidential authority over the National Guard. The appeals court is scheduled for a hearing on the matter next Tuesday.
Historically, the deployment of National Guard without the consent of state governors has been rare, last occurring over half a century ago during civil rights protests. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has avoided specifics on compliance with the ruling but reiterated the need for a unified command structure within the armed forces.
The outcome of this case is significant in light of the ongoing protests in Los Angeles, which have not reached levels warranting federal intervention, according to California officials. The situation continues to unfold as legal challenges and public protests persist in reaction to federal immigration policies.
Overall, the Trump administration's use of military forces in civil affairs raises complex legal and ethical questions regarding governance, authority, and the limits of executive power in America.
