A federal judge has halted President Donald Trump’s control over the California National Guard in Los Angeles, ruling that the administration failed to justify taking authority from the state’s governor.
Judge Charles Breyer said the deployment triggered months ago after protests over immigration raids—did not meet the threshold for federal takeover. Although over 300 federally controlled troops remain in the city, he ordered that command return to Governor Gavin Newsom, with the ruling taking effect on 15 December to allow time for appeal.
Breyer dismissed the administration’s argument that the courts should not intervene, stressing that the US government was built on checks and balances, not unchecked executive power. He questioned why troops were still in Los Angeles long after tensions had eased, despite government lawyers insisting they were needed due to threats against immigration agents.
The judge also warned that federalising state soldiers across multiple cities risked creating a “national police force” using National Guard units. He previously ruled that Trump’s method of deploying the Guard to Los Angeles earlier in the year was unlawful.
Trump has ordered Guard deployments to several cities Portland, Washington DC, and others—moves that have repeatedly triggered lawsuits. The White House argues the troops help curb violence and reinforce immigration enforcement, but several courts and local officials have pushed back.
Governor Newsom first sued in June when the troops arrived, but an appeals court initially sided with Trump. He returned to court in November after the protests quieted, saying the continued deployment no longer had any basis.
The National Guard is made up of separate units across all US states, territories, and Washington DC, each normally under state control unless federalised by the president.
