Donald Trump blocked from deploying troops for LA protests: What does the court's ruling mean for President and his relation with Gavin Newsom?
A US federal judge ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to manage protests in Los Angeles was unlawful, ordering the return of control over the California National Guard to the state.
The ruling, set to take effect on Friday, represents a significant victory for California officials who had challenged the federal intervention.
US District Judge Charles Breyer, in his decision, stated that the deployment violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded the statutory authority granted to the president.
Newsom vs. Trump: Judge has ordered President Trump to revert control of the National Guard back to Governor Newsom and California. pic.twitter.com/N7OFlTIogp — Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 13, 2025
Breyer highlighted the negative impact the militarisation of Los Angeles was having on local protests, stating it inflamed tensions, threatened public safety, and deprived the state of essential National Guard resources for addressing ongoing emergencies such as fires and the fentanyl crisis.
'Plaintiffs and the citizens of Los Angeles face a greater harm from the continued unlawful militarisation of their city,' Breyer wrote in his opinion. 'This not only risks escalating hostilities but deprives the state of vital resources for fighting fires, combating the fentanyl trade, and performing other critical functions.'
The ruling also noted that the deployment interfered with protesters' First Amendment rights to peaceful assembly and expression, as the presence of armed National Guard troops could potentially intimidate demonstrators.
In response, the Trump administration announced it would appeal the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who filed the lawsuit against the federal government, voiced strong opposition to the move, calling the deployment a "serious breach of state sovereignty."
On Tuesday, Newsom warned that the federalisation of the National Guard represented a threat to democracy itself, suggesting that other states could face similar interventions.
A child's life and home, taken away overnight by Trump's cruel and inhumane mass deportation policy.
This is not who we are as a country. pic.twitter.com/c9snpHAadI — Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 13, 2025
'When Donald Trump sought blanket authority to commandeer the National Guard, he made that order apply to every state in this nation,' Newsom said in an address. 'This is about all of us. Democracy is under assault before our eyes.'
The conflict between the state and the federal government over the use of the National Guard is far from over, as the appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court continues to unfold. For now, however, the decision requires the administration to relinquish control over the California National Guard, effective Friday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Trump eyes Iran-Israel peace via Putin
US President Donald Trump gestures, as he departs for Pennsylvania, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, U.S., May 30, 2025. Photo: Reuters Listen to article Despite evidence of escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Sunday that peace would come soon to Middle East, citing his track record as a dealmaker during the Pakistan-India conflict last month. In a social media post, Trump said there were many unspecified meetings about the issue happening and encouraged the two countries to make a deal. And in an interview with ABC News, he cited the possibility that Russia president Vladimir Putin could help. Trump acknowledged the possibility of US involvement in the Iran-Israel crisis and emphasised his track as a peacemaker as proof of his diplomatic prowess. However, the US president echoed his frustration that he was not given the due appreciation for his efforts. Pakistan and India engaged in a four-day conflict from May 7 to 10, started by India's missile strikes against mosques and other civilian targets in six Pakistani cities. Pakistan responded with downing six and Indian jets on May 7 and hitting 26 military targets in the morning of May 10. Later on that day, it was the US president who broke the news in a social media post that both Pakistan and India had agreed to a ceasefire because of his intense diplomatic efforts. His announcement later drew flak in India, which denied the US influence in its truce decision. "I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand," Trump wrote on Truth Social, echoing his frustration over what he sees as underappreciated achievements. "MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!" he said, referring to his efforts for de-escalation between Iran and Israel. "Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal," Trump wrote. "We will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place," he added, without offering any details about the meetings or evidence of progress toward peace. Trump, meanwhile, told ABC News that Iran wanted to make a deal and indicated something like the Israel strikes would accelerate that. "Something like this had to happen because I think even from both sides . They want to talk, and they will be talking," Trump said. Conflict between Iran and Israel over the former's nuclear programme escalated on Friday when Israeli unleashed missile and air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities and top military leadership. Tehran said that top three general and several nuclear scientists were killed in that attack. Iran replied with launching barrages of missiles along with swarms of drones, hitting several targets inside Israel. On the third day of these exchanges, the world capitals were abuzz with hectic diplomatic activities to calm down the two sides. However, so far, Iran and Israel were showing no sign of taking a step back. Iran also denied a claim from President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus that Tehran has asked Cyprus to convey "some messages" to Israel. Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that no message had been sent to Israel via a third party. While on a visit to Greenland, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed the hope for a return to calm "in the coming hours". His statement came as German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany, France and Britain were ready to hold immediate talks with Iran over its nuclear programme. Simultaneously, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged "diplomacy and dialogue" in his talk with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the "grave situation" in the Iran-Israel conflict, according to a Downing Street statement. Also Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Trump held telephonic conversation on the Iran-Israel conflict. His call came as the Group of Seven leaders gather in the Canadian Rockies for their annual summit meeting, where the issue was likely to figure prominently. The United States has engaged in talks with Iran about its nuclear programme and Trump has told reporters previously that the talks were going well. But another round of discussions scheduled for Sunday in Oman was cancelled after the Israeli and Iranian strikes. Trump said he and Putin discussed the Middle East situation on Saturday in a call that focused more on that conflict than the war in Ukraine. "He is ready. We had a long talk about it," he said about Putin serving as a mediator. "This is something I believe is going to get resolved."
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Express Tribune
36 more countries likely to face US travel ban
US President Donald Trump's administration is considering significantly expanding its travel ban by potentially banning citizens of 36 additional countries from entering the United States, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters. Earlier this month, the Republican president signed a proclamation that banned the entry of citizens from 12 countries, saying the move was needed to protect the United States against "foreign terrorists" and other national security threats. The directive was part of an immigration crackdown Trump launched this year at the start of his second term, which has included the deportation to El Salvador of hundreds of Venezuelans suspected of being gang members, as well as efforts to deny enrollments of some foreign students from US universities and deport others. In an internal diplomatic cable signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department outlined a dozen concerns about the countries in question and sought corrective action. "The Department has identified 36 countries of concern that might be recommended for full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days," the cable sent out over the weekend said. The cable was first reported by the Washington Post. Among the concerns the State Department raised was the lack of a competent or cooperative government by some of the countries mentioned to produce reliable identity documents, the cable said. Some countries were overstaying the US visas their citizens were being granted. Other reasons for concern were the nationals of the country were involved in acts of terrorism in the United States, or antisemitic and anti-American activity. The cable noted that not all of these concerns pertained to every country listed. The countries that could face a full or a partial ban if they do not address these concerns within the next 60 days are: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal and others. Reuters
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Express Tribune
G7 leaders hope to avoid Trump clash
Group of Seven leaders gather in the Canadian Rockies starting on Sunday amid growing splits with the United States over foreign policy and trade, with host Canada striving to avoid clashes with President Donald Trump. While Prime Minister Mark Carney says his priorities are strengthening peace and security, building critical mineral supply chains and creating jobs, issues such as US tariffs and the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are expected to feature heavily. The summit is taking place in the mountain resort of Kananaskis, some 90 km (56 miles) west of Calgary. The last time Canada played host, in 2018, Trump left the summit before denouncing then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as "very dishonest and weak" and instructing the US delegation to withdraw its approval of the final communique. "This will be a successful meeting if Donald Trump doesn't have an eruption that disrupts the entire gathering. Anything above and beyond that is gravy," said University of Ottawa international affairs professor Roland Paris, who was foreign policy adviser to Trudeau. Trump has often mused about annexing Canada and arrives at a time when Carney is threatening reprisals if Washington does not lift tariffs on steel and aluminum. "The best-case scenario ... is that there's no real blow-ups coming out of the back end," said Josh Lipsky, the chair of international economics at the Atlantic Council think tank and a former White House and State Department official. Diplomats said Canada has ditched the idea of a traditional comprehensive joint communique and would issue chair summaries instead, in hopes of containing a disaster and maintaining engagement with the US. A senior Canadian official told reporters Ottawa wanted to focus on actions the seven members - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – could take together. Canadian Senator Peter Boehm, a veteran former diplomat who acted as Trudeau's personal representative to the 2018 summit, said he had been told the summit would last longer than usual to give time for bilateral meetings with the US president. Expected guests for parts of the Sunday to Tuesday event include leaders from Ukraine, Mexico, India, Australia, South Africa, South Korea and Brazil, who all have reasons to want to talk to Trump. Reuters
