A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles in June was illegal. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer found that the deployment violated the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prohibits the use of federal troops in domestic law enforcement.
The ruling came after immigration protests in Los Angeles turned violent, prompting President Trump to send in the National Guard and Marines. Judge Breyer stated that the deployment was intended to establish a military presence and enforce federal law, actions that are a serious violation of the Posse Comitatus Act. He noted that while there were protests and some violence, there was no rebellion, and civilian law enforcement was capable of handling the situation.
The judge’s order blocks any remaining troops in Los Angeles from making arrests, conducting searches, or engaging in riot control unless a valid legal exception is met. The order is paused until September 12, allowing the Trump administration time to appeal. The decision could impact Trump’s plans to expand military deployments to other cities like New York, Baltimore, and Chicago.
Governor Gavin Newsom of California, who had previously sued the administration over the deployment, celebrated the ruling. He expressed concerns that the president was testing the limits of his authority by sending active-duty military into American streets, potentially violating service members’ commitments to stay out of domestic politics.
According to The Independent, the deployment involved approximately 5,000 National Guard soldiers and Marines, assisting in over 170 law enforcement operations. Despite most troops having left the city, the ruling prevents further military involvement without proper legal justification.
The New Republic reported that this decision may affect Trump’s broader plans to use military force in other Democratic-led cities. KARK noted that an appeals court had previously blocked an order requiring Trump to return control of the National Guard to Governor Newsom. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the latest ruling.
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