Los Angeles Protests: U.S. Court Grants Trump Temporary Authority to Deploy National Guard
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a ruling allowing former President Donald Trump to continue deploying National Guard forces in Los Angeles, amid ongoing protests against immigration enforcement policies. The decision temporarily halts a previous lower court ruling that had ordered a suspension of the deployment.
The appellate court clarified that its decision does not constitute a final endorsement of the president’s actions but allows Trump to retain control over the National Guard forces for the time being.
Legal Dispute Over Presidential Authority
Federal Judge Charles Breyer, of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, had ruled on Thursday that Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in California was “unlawful,” stating that the president had not followed the legal procedures required by Congress.
The judge ordered that command of the National Guard be returned to California Governor Gavin Newsom, who welcomed the ruling. In a press conference, Newsom stated, “Trump is not a king, and he must stop acting like one.”
However, Judge Breyer stayed the implementation of his decision until Friday at noon local time, giving the federal government an opportunity to appeal.
White House and Justice Department Object
The White House quickly announced its intent to appeal the ruling. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice, in its legal filing, argued that the court’s decision represented an unprecedented interference in the constitutional powers of the president as commander-in-chief. The department maintained that the president holds the legal authority to mobilize the National Guard when necessary to protect federal officials and interests.
Governor Newsom reaffirmed his intention to reclaim control over the state’s National Guard if the judge’s order takes effect, stating that Donald Trump would be relieved of this responsibility by noon on Friday.
