A federal judge has ruled that President Donald Trump unlawfully federalized California's National Guard, ordering the return of control to Governor Gavin Newsom. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer on Thursday (June 12), stated that Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded his statutory authority.
The decision comes after Newsom sued Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, challenging the deployment of the Guard in response to protests against immigration policies. Judge Breyer criticized Trump's actions as an overreach, noting that the protests in Los Angeles did not constitute a rebellion.
Breyer's ruling temporarily restrains Trump from using the Guard, with the order taking effect at noon on Friday (June 13). The Trump administration has already filed an appeal, seeking a stay from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the ruling an early success but acknowledged the ongoing legal battle. Newsom expressed gratitude for the decision, emphasizing the importance of constitutional limits on presidential power.