Judge Rules Trump Illegally Sent National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles
President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles during immigration protests this summer has been ruled illegal by a federal judge. The decision challenges the administration's use of military force in domestic law enforcement and raises questions about federal authority in managing civil unrest in American cities.
Federal Judge Declares Deployment Illegal
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that the Trump administration violated the Posse Comitatus Act by ordering the National Guard to perform law enforcement activities during anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests in Los Angeles. The act prohibits the military from taking on policing duties inside the United States without proper authorization. Judge Breyer ruled that the instructions for the troops to engage in activities such as arrests, crowd control, and traffic management were illegal under federal law.
Impact on National Guard Operations
The judge's order applies specifically to California but could influence how the federal government approaches troop deployments in other cities. Although the ruling does not require immediate withdrawal of the approximately 300 National Guard personnel still in Los Angeles, it forbids their involvement in law enforcement tasks unless a valid legal exception is met. The ruling highlights that there is no exception to the Posse Comitatus Act for the kinds of activities the troops were undertaking.
Legal and Political Context
The Trump administration sent roughly 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests sparked by federal immigration raids. This deployment sparked backlash from state and city leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who challenged President Trump’s orders in court. This legal battle is part of broader tensions between the federal government and Democratic-led states over the use of military force domestically.
Trump's Claims of Authority and Opposition
President Trump has publicly asserted broad authority to deploy troops to manage crime in cities like Chicago, Baltimore, and New York, despite opposition from state officials. At a recent cabinet meeting, Trump claimed he could "do anything" as president if he believed the country or cities were in danger. However, his use of the National Guard in Los Angeles, without invoking the Insurrection Act or other exemptions, has been found unlawful by the judiciary.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker responded sharply to Trump’s declaration about sending troops to Chicago, emphasizing the city does not want federal troops intervening in local affairs. The issue remains highly contentious and highlights the limits of presidential power over military deployments for domestic law enforcement.
Implications for Future Deployments
The ruling underlines the significance of the Posse Comitatus Act in maintaining the separation between military and police roles in the U.S. While the Insurrection Act offers a narrow avenue to override Posse Comitatus restrictions during certain emergencies, Trump did not invoke it in this case. The judge's decision sends a clear message that the administration's actions exceeded legal boundaries.
This case could set a precedent for how the federal government coordinates military responses to civil unrest and protests in American cities moving forward. State and local governments are likely to continue pushing back against what they view as federal overreach in managing internal security.