US Appeals Court Upholds Trump's Control of National Guard Amid Local Protests

The US appeals court has ruled in favor of President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, maintaining his authority amid local dissent regarding protests over immigration policies. The ruling reverses an earlier lower court decision that deemed the troop mobilization illegal.

A US appeals court delivered a significant ruling that permits President Donald Trump to maintain control over the National Guard troops stationed in Los Angeles. This decision comes in the wake of widespread protests against Trump’s immigration policies, which local leaders and California Governor Gavin Newsom have labeled an unnecessary escalation of tensions.

The court's ruling contradicts an earlier decision made by Judge Charles Breyer, who asserted that Trump's unilateral deployment of the troops violated congressional law that governs the mobilization of state National Guard units. In his initial ruling, Judge Breyer mandated that control of the California National Guard should be reverted back to the state's governor immediately, indicating that Trump's actions were not legally justified.

However, the appeals court refuted this earlier claim, asserting that Trump’s decision was within his lawful authority, even though he did not explicitly issue the necessary federalization order through Governor Newsom. The court concluded that the president has the right to deploy military forces when necessary to protect federal personnel and properties. Following the ruling, Trump publicly celebrated the decision on social media, framing it as a win for national security.

In response to the ruling, Governor Newsom reaffirmed his stance against what he characterized as an "authoritarian" maneuver by Trump, emphasizing that the president is not above the law and should be held accountable for decisions impacting state governance. Newsom expressed his commitment to resisting the misuse of military power in civilian affairs, particularly against the backdrop of national protests focused on immigration enforcement.

With this ruling, around 4,000 National Guard troops will remain deployed throughout Los Angeles, where they have been tasked with safeguarding federal immigration agents and property during enforcement actions. Trump's administration also deployed 700 Marines in the city, a move that has met with significant backlash from local officials concerned about civil liberties and community safety. Historically, this marks the first instance in over half a century where a president unilaterally deployed National Guard forces without state consent, raising further questions about federal authority and the balance of power.