Court Upholds Trump's Control Over LA National Guard Amid Controversy

A three-judge panel ruled in favor of President Trump's decision to deploy National Guard troops in Los Angeles, despite criticism from city leaders and California Governor Gavin Newsom. The ruling allows the continued presence of 4,000 troops tasked with supporting federal immigration agents and triggered a heated debate on executive military power.

A US appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump retains control over National Guard troops deployed in Los Angeles, a decision met with considerable local dissent. This ruling allows for approximately 4,000 soldiers to remain in the city, which Trump activated in response to protests against his immigration enforcement tactics. Local officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, condemned the deployment, labeling it as an unnecessary escalation.

The ruling came from a three-judge panel on Thursday, affirming that Trump had the legal prerogative to mobilize the troops to "protect federal personnel... [and] property." Trump deemed the court’s decision a "big win," calling it essential for community protection when state and local police may struggle to maintain order.

This verdict overturns a prior ruling by Judge Charles Breyer, who argued that Trump's actions were unlawful because he sidestepped established legal protocols for deploying National Guard troops. Breyer had ruled that Trump’s mobilization order should be retracting and yield control back to the state of California. However, he granted a stay until June 13, enabling the Trump administration to file an appeal, which occurred promptly.

The appeals court emphasized that while Trump's method of choosing to federalize the National Guard might not have adhered to established norms, it did not violate the law outright. Following the ruling, Trump took to social media to express his satisfaction, insisting on the need for federal intervention in safeguarding citizens across the nation.

Governor Newsom criticized the verdict, maintaining that Trump’s assertion of unchecked authority over the National Guard was fundamentally flawed. He stressed that military use against civilians should be monitored rigorously and declared, “Donald Trump is not a king and not above the law.”

The appeals court decision endorses the ongoing deployment of troops amid heightened federal immigration actions. The Trump administration justified the presence of the National Guard as a necessary measure to protect ICE agents during their operations across Los Angeles. Alongside the National Guard, Trump also ordered the deployment of 700 Marines, further intensifying tensions with state officials regarding military presence without consent.

This situation marks a significant moment in the discourse regarding federal military authority within states and raises questions about the boundaries of executive power.