Judge Orders End to Federal Control of California National Guard in Los Angeles

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to end its deployment of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles and return control to the state. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued a preliminary injunction, citing abuse of executive power, but delayed enforcement to allow time for a potential appeal.

In June, President Trump unilaterally deployed over 4,000 troops without Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval to support immigration enforcement during protests, a move contested by California officials. Although the number of deployed troops had decreased to around 100 by October, California continued to oppose the federal control.

Judge Breyer criticized the administration's justification for extending the deployment and likened the federalization of state troops to forming a "national police force." He argued that the situation in Los Angeles no longer warranted military involvement, as local law enforcement had managed protests effectively.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta hailed the ruling as a defense of the rule of law, accusing Trump of using the guard for political purposes.

Breyer's ruling went on to say that the administration's "argument for a president to hold unchecked power to control state troops would wholly upend the federalism that is at the heart of our system of government."

In response to NPR's request for comment, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson asserted that Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles was within his "lawful authority." "We look forward to ultimate victory on the issue," Jackson wrote.

The ruling is stayed until Monday to allow for appeal.