A federal judge on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles and ordered the troops to return to the control of California's governor.
In June, Trump sent thousands of National Guard troops to the city in response to protests over his administration's aggressive immigration policies.
US District Judge Charles Breyer stated that the Trump administration had not demonstrated that the protests justified federal control of the state's National Guard.
Despite the judge's ruling, the Trump administration is still overseeing 300 California National Guard troops, six months after they were federalized, the judge noted.
Breyer also rejected the Trump administration's argument that the courts should refrain from intervening when the president takes control of state National Guard troops during emergencies.
The Founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances, Judge Breyer remarked in his ruling, pointing out that the administration's approach was seeking a 'blank check'.
The judge's order will take effect on December 15, allowing the Trump administration time to appeal to a higher court.
The BBC has reached out to the White House for comment on this ruling.
This year, Trump has deployed National Guard troops in several cities, including Portland, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., where similar legal challenges have emerged.
California Governor Gavin Newsom initially sued after Trump deployed thousands of troops in June, but an appeals court sided with the administration. However, following a significant reduction in protests, Newsom filed a new legal challenge in November.
During a recent hearing, Trump's attorneys argued for the troops to remain in Los Angeles due to ongoing threats against federal immigration agents. Nevertheless, Judge Breyer questioned the necessity of this continued military presence.
Breyer also stated that the Trump administration was effectively establishing a ‘national police force’ through the deployment of state troops across various states.
All 50 states, along with Washington D.C. and some territories, maintain their own National Guard contingents, and the legal challenges surrounding their deployment in cities have sparked extensive debate and controversy.
President Trump has insisted that deploying the National Guard is vital for combating violence in cities governed by Democrats, curbing crime, and supporting his immigration initiatives.
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