California's National Guard Troops at the Mercy of Judge's Ruling
A federal judge presided over California's lawsuit against President Trump's authority over the state's National Guard, raising questions about the legitimacy of the Trump administration's decision to deploy thousands of troops to Los Angeles in June.
The move was met with swift opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom, who described it as an unprecedented and illegal act. The federal government argued that the president has the power to extend control over state guard troops as long as he deems necessary under federal law, but Judge Charles Breyer's skepticism suggests that this justification may not hold up.
Breyer questioned whether the administration could command the state's National Guard indefinitely, stating "No crisis lasts forever. I think experience teaches us that crises come and crises go. That's the way it works." He also pressed an attorney for the government to provide evidence of California authorities' inability or unwillingness to protect federal personnel and property in Los Angeles.
The remaining troops were deployed to allow immigration agents to continue their mission and protect federal property, but Breyer seems unconvinced by this rationale. The court is now considering a preliminary injunction to return control of the National Guard troops to the state.
This case marks a significant escalation in President Trump's efforts to carry out his mass deportation policy, with the deployment of the California National Guard being the first time a state's guard has been activated without a request from its governor. The situation has sparked debate about the limits of presidential power and the role of the military in domestic affairs.
Breyer's ruling comes after he previously ruled that the deployment was illegal, but an appeals court panel put this decision on hold. With Breyer now questioning the federal government's authority, it remains to be seen whether California will succeed in its bid to regain control over its National Guard troops.
A federal judge presided over California's lawsuit against President Trump's authority over the state's National Guard, raising questions about the legitimacy of the Trump administration's decision to deploy thousands of troops to Los Angeles in June.
The move was met with swift opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom, who described it as an unprecedented and illegal act. The federal government argued that the president has the power to extend control over state guard troops as long as he deems necessary under federal law, but Judge Charles Breyer's skepticism suggests that this justification may not hold up.
Breyer questioned whether the administration could command the state's National Guard indefinitely, stating "No crisis lasts forever. I think experience teaches us that crises come and crises go. That's the way it works." He also pressed an attorney for the government to provide evidence of California authorities' inability or unwillingness to protect federal personnel and property in Los Angeles.
The remaining troops were deployed to allow immigration agents to continue their mission and protect federal property, but Breyer seems unconvinced by this rationale. The court is now considering a preliminary injunction to return control of the National Guard troops to the state.
This case marks a significant escalation in President Trump's efforts to carry out his mass deportation policy, with the deployment of the California National Guard being the first time a state's guard has been activated without a request from its governor. The situation has sparked debate about the limits of presidential power and the role of the military in domestic affairs.
Breyer's ruling comes after he previously ruled that the deployment was illegal, but an appeals court panel put this decision on hold. With Breyer now questioning the federal government's authority, it remains to be seen whether California will succeed in its bid to regain control over its National Guard troops.