Federal court to decide legality of Trump's National Guard deployment in California

In the United States, a legal battle regarding the deployment of National Guard troops in California has escalated and is set to be heard by a federal appeals court. This situation stems from President Donald Trump's decision to federalize California's National Guard troops during protests sparked by immigration enforcement actions in the Los Angeles area. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is conducting a remote hearing on June 17, 2025, after a lower court judge issued a temporary restraining order demanding the return of control of the troops to California Governor Gavin Newsom. The governor did not consent to the Guards' activation and argues that Trump's actions are illegal and infringe upon state sovereignty. The temporary restraining order was granted following extensive protests against federal immigration raids, which Newsom claims were worsened by the military's presence. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled last week that the deployment exceeded Trump's statutory authority under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which is aimed at protecting against invasions, rebellions, or when the president is unable to execute federal laws. Judge Breyer emphasized that the ongoing protests cannot be classified as a rebellion and maintained that the First Amendment protects individuals' rights to protest, regardless of any violence from fringe participants. His ruling declared Trump's actions illegal, as control of the National Guard has not been ceded to federal authority without gubernatorial approval since 1965. The Trump administration responded by appealing the lower court's order and asserting that the district judge's ruling is an unprecedented infringement on presidential authority as Commander in Chief. A three-judge panel from the Ninth Circuit, including two judges nominated by Trump and one by President Biden, is handling the appeal. In their view, the troop deployment is necessary to maintain order and safeguard federal buildings amidst increased tensions following the protests. Reports indicate that approximately 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines were dispatched to the Los Angeles area following the demonstrations. Attendees and advocates plan to protest outside the San Francisco courthouse during the hearing, indicating the high stakes and emotions surrounding this case. The outcome of the federal appeals court's decision could signal changes to how state and federal authorities navigate deployments of the Guard, especially in contexts of civil unrest. Furthermore, the ruling will test the limits of presidential power in invoking the military for domestic issues, potentially setting a new precedent for future administrations and their relationships with state governments regarding troop deployments.