Federal Judge Considers Legality of Trump National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles

A federal judge in San Francisco is reviewing a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's 2025 deployment of approximately 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles amid protests over immigration raids. California Governor Gavin Newsom and local officials opposed the federal takeover of the state's National Guard, arguing it violated the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits military involvement in domestic law enforcement. The state seeks a court order to return control of the troops to California and prevent future use of military personnel in enforcing civilian laws. The Trump administration contends that the deployment was lawful, asserting presidential authority to use the National Guard to protect federal property and personnel when local law enforcement response is insufficient. Judge Charles Breyer previously ruled that the federal government exceeded its authority under the Tenth Amendment but his order was stayed by an appeals court, allowing federal control to continue during litigation. The ongoing trial will determine the legality of the federal deployment and could establish precedent regarding presidential powers over National Guard deployment in states.