A federal judge on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles and ordered the troops be returned to the state governor's control.
In June, Trump sent thousands of National Guard troops to the California city in the wake of protests over his administration ramping up immigration raids in Los Angeles.
US District Judge Charles Breyer stated that the Trump administration had not proven that the city's protests against immigration justified taking federal control of the state's National Guard.
Breyer mentioned that the Trump administration still has control over 300 California National Guard troops six months after they were federalized. Furthermore, he denied the administration's argument that the courts should refrain from weighing in on the issue of a president taking control of state National Guard troops during emergencies.
In his ruling, Judge Breyer wrote, The Founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances. Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one.
He indicated that his order would not take effect until December 15, giving the Trump administration time to make its expected appeal to a higher court.
“President Trump exercised his lawful authority to deploy National Guard troops to support federal officers and assets following violent riots,” said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, expressing confidence that they would ultimately prevail on the issue.
This year, Trump has deployed National Guard troops to various cities, including Portland and Washington DC, where the deployments have faced legal challenges and, in some cases, have been blocked by judges. California Governor Gavin Newsom previously sued the administration after the initial deployment in June, though an appellate court sided with the administration at that time.
Newsom filed a new legal challenge in November, arguing that the protests had largely subsided and that the troop presence was no longer necessary; Judge Breyer expressed skepticism regarding the requirement for troops in the city several months later.
Judge Breyer warned that the Trump administration's actions could lead to the creation of a national police force made up of state troops, reiterating his previous ruling that the deployment methodology was illegal.
Trump has claimed that deploying National Guard troops is essential for quelling violence in Democratic-controlled cities, enforcing immigration laws, and supporting his broader deportation initiatives.
