Trump’s use of National Guard in Los Angeles violated federal law, judge rules

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A federal judge in California has ruled that President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles in June violated federal law.

The ruling arrives as Trump continues pushing plans to send National Guard troops into other US cities to combat crime and aid immigration enforcement.

Judge Charles Breyer blocks Donald Trump from using troops as domestic police

US District Judge Charles Breyer ruled on Tuesday that the federal government violated the Posse Comitatus Act, a law that restricts the use of the military in domestic policing. The ruling will remain on hold until September 12, giving the Trump administration time to appeal.

Breyer’s order applies only in California, but legal experts reportedly believe it could lead to broader challenges if Trump moves forward with his strategy in other states.

He warned that Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth risked “creating a national police force with the president as its chief,” Judge Breyer wrote.

“The evidence at trial established that Defendants systematically used armed soldiers (whose identity was often obscured by protective armor) and military vehicles to set up protective perimeters and traffic blockades, engage in crowd control, and otherwise demonstrate a military presence in and around Los Angeles,” Judge Breyer wrote in his 52-page ruling.

“In short, Defendants violated the Posse Comitatus Act,” he said.

Gavin Newsom reacts to court ruling 

Governor Gavin Newsom sued the Trump administration after National Guard troops were dispatched to Los Angeles in June. The state had requested that the court order the Trump administration to return control of the troops to California officials.

“President Trump’s recent executive orders and public statements regarding the National Guard raise serious concerns as to whether he intends to order troops to violate the Posse Comitatus Act elsewhere in California,” Judge Breyer wrote in his ruling.

“There were indeed protests in Los Angeles, and some individuals engaged in violence,” Judge Breyer added. “Yet there was no rebellion, nor was civilian law enforcement unable to respond to the protests and enforce the law.”

Governor Newsom reacted swiftly to the court’s decision. “DONALD TRUMP LOSES AGAIN. The courts agree — his militarization of our streets and use of the military against US citizens is ILLEGAL,” Gavin Newsom wrote on X.

In a press statement, Newsom, as per the New York Times, said, “Today, the court sided with democracy and the Constitution. No president is a king — not even Trump — and no president can trample a state’s power to protect its people.”

He added, “Trump’s attempt to use federal troops as his personal police force is illegal, authoritarian, and must be stopped in every courtroom across this country."

Donald Trump’s wider plans for National Guard face new challenges

The Justice Department defended the deployment by arguing it was necessary to protect federal property and staff. They claimed the troops acted within the limits of federal law.

However, Judge Breyer restricted the military from engaging in law enforcement functions such as “arrests, apprehensions, searches, seizures, security patrols, traffic control, crowd control, riot control, evidence collection, interrogation, or acting as informants.”

The several hundred National Guard troops in Los Angeles will remain, but their actions must comply with Breyer’s order.

“Defendants are not required to withdraw the 300 National Guard troops currently stationed in Los Angeles, nor are they barred from using troops consistent with the Posse Comitatus Act,” Judge Breyer wrote.

The Trump administration has already deployed hundreds of National Guard members to Washington, DC, and has signaled plans to send more to Chicago and other cities. Judge Breyer’s ruling could serve as an obstacle to those moves.

Internet reactions to LA Judges' ruling over National Guard deployment 

The internet reacted to the ruling with mixed reactions

"The judicial COUP continues," a person wrote on X.

Another person wrote," A glimmering of hope for America still."

Some users made a sharp swipe by writing, "The court's ruling confirms what we already knew: Trump violated the US Constitution!" and "Easily the most lawless president in history. Is there any restitution for Los Angeles?" 

Those in support hoped the ruling to be overturned, "It'll just be overturned like every other!" wrote one. One more declared, "The judge is wrong."

"Nobody listens to rogue federal judges anymore," one user added. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.