Court Blocks Trump Federalization of CA National Guard

A federal judge, Charles Breyer, ruled that President Donald Trump unlawfully federalized thousands of California National Guard troops in response to anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, ordering control returned to Governor Gavin Newsom. The court found that Trump exceeded his statutory authority and violated the Tenth Amendment, as the situation did not fit the legal definition of a 'rebellion.' The Justice Department immediately appealed, and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily paused the order, keeping the Guard under federal control for the time being. Governor Newsom criticized the deployment as unconstitutional and inflammatory, while protests continued in Los Angeles and other U.S. cities. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that immigration enforcement actions would continue despite the unrest and ongoing legal battles. The court's pending decision will have significant implications for the balance of federal and state authority over the National Guard.