A federal judge has temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, ruling the move unlawful and ordering control of the troops be returned to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The ruling, issued Thursday by US District Judge Charles Breyer, takes effect Friday at noon. It stems from a lawsuit by Newsom, who argued that Trump overstepped his authority by mobilizing the Guard during ongoing protests against intensified immigration enforcement.
Breyer rejected Trump’s justification that the protests amounted to a “rebellion,” stating that the demonstrations, largely peaceful, are protected under the First Amendment. “The Court is troubled by the implication that protest can justify a finding of rebellion,” Breyer wrote.
The Trump administration has appealed the decision.
The legal battle comes amid heightened tensions. Earlier in the day, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called for the “liberation” of Los Angeles, moments before federal agents controversially detained Senator Alex Padilla during a press conference.
Trump’s unprecedented decision to deploy both the National Guard and US Marines to support civilian police has sparked outrage. While Trump claims the measures prevented the city from descending into chaos, Breyer’s ruling noted that the military presence may be escalating tensions and hindering California’s ability to use the Guard for crucial tasks like firefighting and anti-drug operations.
Roughly 700 Marines are expected to join up to 4,000 Guard troops on the streets by the end of the week, according to military sources.