Federal Appeals Court Upholds Trump’s Authority Over National Guard, Blocking Newsom’s Challenge Amid Los Angeles Riots

A federal appeals court has handed a major legal victory to President Donald Trump, allowing him to retain control over the California National Guard and continue deploying troops and Marines in response to riots in Los Angeles. 

The ruling, issued late Thursday by a three-judge panel on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, blocks a lower court order that had temporarily stripped Trump of that authority.

The conflict began after protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) escalated into violent riots across Los Angeles.

In response, Trump federalized approximately 4,000 California National Guard troops and activated 700 U.S. Marines to defend federal buildings and support law enforcement in the city. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) filed suit, arguing that the move exceeded the president’s legal authority.

Earlier in the day, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer sided with Newsom, issuing a 36-page opinion that accused Trump of acting outside his constitutional powers. 

“His actions were illegal – both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” Breyer wrote, according to Just the News. 

“He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith.”

Breyer’s ruling included a temporary restraining order blocking additional deployments and ordering Trump to relinquish control. 

The restraining order was initially set to remain in place until noon Friday. A hearing on its validity is scheduled for June 17.

During a tense hearing prior to issuing his order, Breyer openly criticized the administration’s actions, suggesting they resembled those of a monarchy. 

“That’s not where we live. We live in response to a monarch. This country was founded in response to a monarch,” he said from the bench. “The Constitution is a document of limitations.”

Shortly after Breyer’s decision, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a notice of appeal and sought emergency relief from the 9th Circuit. 

The appellate court responded swiftly, reversing the lower court’s decision and reinstating Trump’s authority to direct National Guard operations in California, at least for the time being.

The appeals court ruling also reinstates Trump’s deployment of U.S. Marines to support federal efforts in Los Angeles, where government buildings and personnel have been the target of sustained attacks during the unrest. 

With the temporary restraining order now on hold, the administration is not barred from deploying additional Guard personnel if needed, pending further court review.

The ongoing legal dispute has put a spotlight on the limits of presidential authority during domestic crises, especially when state leaders oppose federal intervention. 

The appellate court’s decision marks a temporary but significant shift in power back to the federal government in the wake of violent demonstrations.

Although the stay is set to expire at noon on Friday, the legal dispute over the president’s authority to deploy the National Guard during domestic emergencies is ongoing. 

A hearing is scheduled for June 17, which could result in a ruling that either reaffirms or limits presidential powers during emergencies, especially when deploying forces in states that oppose the federal action. 

If Trump’s actions are upheld, future presidents—regardless of party—could cite this case to justify similar deployments in other states during times of unrest, potentially affecting the use of federal power within the country.

The post Federal Appeals Court Upholds Trump’s Authority Over National Guard, Blocking Newsom’s Challenge Amid Los Angeles Riots appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.