Federal Judge Rules Trump Illegally Used Military for Law Enforcement in Los Angeles

A federal judge in California ruled that President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles to manage immigration protests was illegal under the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the military from performing domestic law enforcement duties without congressional approval. The 52-page ruling by Judge Charles R. Breyer detailed that the troops engaged in law enforcement activities such as crowd control and detentions, effectively acting as a police force, which the judge described as a violation of constitutional safeguards against military involvement in civilian policing. The judge expressed concern that the Trump administration's actions suggested an attempt to establish a national police force under presidential control. Although the ruling delayed enforcement until September 12 to allow for an appeal, it prohibits the Pentagon from directing troops to make arrests or conduct searches without congressional authorization. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli defended the administration, stating the military's role was to protect federal employees and properties, not to engage in direct law enforcement. California Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders condemned the deployment as an illegal militarization of civilian areas, with the ruling marking a significant legal setback for the Trump administration's approach to managing protests and immigration enforcement.