A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that the Trump administration must stop deploying the California National Guard in Los Angeles, delivering a preliminary injunction sought by California officials who opposed the President's extraordinary move. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, based in San Francisco, determined that the administration was overstepping its authority by using state Guard troops without the governor’s consent for immigration enforcement efforts.
The judge's order comes as the number of troops deployed has significantly decreased—the initial call-up of over 4,000 troops dwindled to just about 100 in the Los Angeles area by late October. California officials argued that conditions in the city had changed since the deployment began in June, when tensions over immigration enforcement surged.
Despite the ruling, the decision has been temporarily stayed until further deliberation on Monday. The California National Guard’s presence in locations like Portland, Oregon is also under scrutiny as the administration seeks to assert military authority in Democratic-run cities amid pushback from local leaders.
Justice Department lawyers insisted that continued deployment of National Guard members was necessary to protect federal personnel and property, framing the situation as a response to perceived violence from protests. However, California’s legal position contends that the military's use violates laws restricting military involvement in domestic affairs, effectively arguing that the troops are being utilized unfairly as the president’s personal police force.
This ruling adds to a series of legal challenges the Trump administration faces regarding National Guard deployments, with previous cases blocking troop movements to other cities, including Chicago. As California prepares to continue its legal fight, the implications for state-federal relations in times of civil unrest are significant.
