Federal Judge orders end to Trump administration's National Guard deployment in Los Angeles

WASHINGTON, DC: A federal judge in California has ordered the Trump administration to end its deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, directing that control be returned to Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. 

The ruling, issued on Wednesday, December 10, by District Judge Charles Breyer, found that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority when he federalized 300 California Guard members in August 2024.

The decision is the latest in a series of legal challenges to Trump's use of National Guard troops in Democratic-led cities during protests against federal immigration policies.

Court rejects argument that LA protests justified federalization

In his ruling, Judge Breyer determined there was no evidence supporting the administration's claim that protests in Los Angeles amounted to a rebellion that would legally justify sending in federalized National Guard troops.

He also rejected the government's position that presidential decisions to take control of State Guard units during emergencies are beyond judicial review.

"The founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances. Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one," Breyer wrote. 

The lawsuit was filed by Gavin Newsom, who asked the court to block the administration's order placing 300 California National Guard troops under federal authority through February 2, 2026.

National Guard units typically fall under state control but may be federalized under certain circumstances. 

A White House spokeswoman, Abigail Jackson, said in response that Trump has lawful authority to deploy troops during "violent riots" and expressed confidence the administration would ultimately prevail. 

Broader legal challenge to Trump's deployments continues 

Newsom said he looks forward to the troops returning to state control after being "diverted from essential public safety missions."

Trump has said the deployments in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, Memphis, and Portland are necessary to reduce crime and protect federal property.

Local officials in those cities have said the deployments were not needed and argued that the administration overstated incidents of unrest. 

Courts in multiple cities have issued similar rulings, finding no evidence that federal property faced threats requiring troop deployments.

Litigation has left several deployments in legal limbo, and military officials have been scaling them back. A federal appeals court last week paused an order ending the deployment in Washington, DC.

The administration is also appealing rulings involving deployments to Portland and Chicago, and a state judge in Tennessee temporarily blocked the Guard deployment to Memphis in November.