A federal judge in California has ruled that the way President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles this summer was illegal. The ruling comes as Trump seeks to use National Guard troops to crack down on crime in other US cities and support immigration enforcement.
US District Judge Charles Breyer stated that Trump violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits federal authority to employ military force for domestic matters. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended Trump, claiming the judge was overstepping his bounds as the President seeks to protect American cities.
The ruling is temporarily stayed until September 12. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision.
California Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the ruling, stating that the court upheld democratic values and the Constitution. Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles in June amid protests triggered by immigration raids; however, California officials contended that local law enforcement could address the situation independently.
Judge Breyer's ruling, applicable only in California, could set a precedent for future legal challenges regarding Trump's plans to utilize the National Guard for his policies. The Posse Comitatus Act, enacted in 1878, prohibits using military forces to enforce domestic laws unless authorized by Congress.
Judge Breyer criticized the actions taken by National Guard personnel in LA, which included crowd control and traffic management, as clear violations of the law. He warned that Trump's behavior, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, threatens to create a national police force with the President at the helm.
The ruling is expected to have lasting implications on the contentious relationship between state and federal law enforcement, especially as Trump considers deploying National Guard troops to cities like Chicago.
US District Judge Charles Breyer stated that Trump violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits federal authority to employ military force for domestic matters. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended Trump, claiming the judge was overstepping his bounds as the President seeks to protect American cities.
The ruling is temporarily stayed until September 12. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision.
California Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the ruling, stating that the court upheld democratic values and the Constitution. Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles in June amid protests triggered by immigration raids; however, California officials contended that local law enforcement could address the situation independently.
Judge Breyer's ruling, applicable only in California, could set a precedent for future legal challenges regarding Trump's plans to utilize the National Guard for his policies. The Posse Comitatus Act, enacted in 1878, prohibits using military forces to enforce domestic laws unless authorized by Congress.
Judge Breyer criticized the actions taken by National Guard personnel in LA, which included crowd control and traffic management, as clear violations of the law. He warned that Trump's behavior, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, threatens to create a national police force with the President at the helm.
The ruling is expected to have lasting implications on the contentious relationship between state and federal law enforcement, especially as Trump considers deploying National Guard troops to cities like Chicago.
