Judge Blocks Trump’s Illegal National Guard Deployment in LA
A federal judge has halted President Trump from deploying National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles without the permission of California Governor Gavin Newsom. The judge declared the action by Trump illegal and directed him to return control of the soldiers to Governor Newsom.
But the order will not become effective immediately since Trump’s administration has already appealed the case. The administration has until Friday afternoon to appeal the ruling to a higher court.
President Trump was sued by California on Monday after he deployed 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines to Los Angeles. According to Trump, he needed the troops to prevent the city from “burning down” as it remained volatile during anti-immigration protests.
Judge Declares Trump’s Action Illegal
US District Judge Charles Breyer was stark in his ruling. Trump disobeyed the law, he stated, when he took over California’s National Guard before consulting the state governor.
“He did not comply with the law,” Judge Breyer wrote. “His conduct was unlawful. He must relinquish control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California immediately.”
At the time of the court hearing, Judge Breyer displayed a copy of the Constitution and instructed that presidents are limited in their power. “That’s the difference between a constitutional government and King George,” he informed the crowded courtroom.
Even a government attorney got corrected by the judge when he stated that Trump was commander-in-chief of all military forces. “The president is not the commander-in-chief of the National Guard,” Breyer replied, but he also said there are extraordinary occasions when a president does have authority to take charge.
Protests Ignite Military Reaction
Trump deployed the troops to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in arresting individuals who are in the country illegally. The demonstrations began after Trump launched his immigration crackdown in Los Angeles.
LA local authorities stated that they did not require federal troops and could deal with the situation by themselves. Governor Newsom vigorously protested Trump’s action and tweeted that “the military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets.”
The Trump administration invoked an antique law that allows presidents to call up National Guard soldiers when there is a “rebellion” occurring. But California has claimed in court that the protests in LA were not that bad.
The state’s case noted that although there have been over 300 arrests and demonstrators closed down a key highway, this was not as bad as the riots that LA has experienced before.
Rare Presidential Power Move
It has been over 50 years since a president last sent National Guard troops without the concurrence of a governor. The last instance was during the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
State governors typically call out their own National Guard troops to respond to emergencies such as natural disasters, and then request assistance from the federal government if it is necessary. This case shows the ongoing tension between Trump’s administration and California’s Democratic leadership over immigration and other policies.
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