Judge blocks California Guard deployment in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) - A federal judge today ordered the Trump administration to return control of some 300 California National Guard troops to Gov. Gavin Newsom, potentially ending their deployment in Los Angeles over six months after they were sent to the city to protect federal facilities and personnel involved with the administration's crackdown on illegal immigration.   

"The Founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances. Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one,'' Judge Charles Breyer wrote in his decision. "Six months after they first federalized the California National Guard, Defendants still retain control of approximately 300 Guardsmen, despite no evidence that execution of federal law is impeded in any way -- let alone significantly.   

"What's more, Defendants have sent California Guardsmen into other states, effectively creating a national police force made up of state troops. In response to Plaintiffs' motion to enjoin this conduct, Defendants take the position that, after a valid initial federalization, all subsequent re- federalizations are completely, and forever, unreviewable by the courts. Defendants' position is contrary to law,'' Breyer added.   

The ruling will not take effect until Monday, providing time for the federal government to appeal, which the Trump administration has already signaled is likely.

"President Trump exercised his lawful authority to deploy National Guard troops to support federal officers and assets following violent riots that local leaders like Newscum refused to stop. We look forward to ultimate victory on the issue,'' White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement Wednesday.   

President Donald Trump ordered 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles on June 7, after initial federal raids to combat illegal immigration were met with massive protests that occasionally turned violent. He argued that local law enforcement authorities were not able to adequately protect the safety of immigration officials and federal vehicles and buildings in the area.

The deployment was later reduced to about 300 troops. California sued the administration to end the deployment, claiming the move violated the Constitution.

"Today's ruling is abundantly clear -- the federalization of the National Guard in California is illegal and must end,'' Newsom said Wednesday morning. ``The president deployed these brave men and women against their own communities, removing them from essential public safety operations. We look forward to all National Guard service members being returned to state service.''

Following the summer deployment, Trump repeatedly defended the move, contending that it quelled massive riots that threatened to destroy much of the city -- even though the immigration protests were largely restricted to a several-block area near the federal building in downtown Los Angeles. He also boasted -- without proof or evidence -- that absent his actions, the city would have lost the 2028 Olympic Games and next year's World Cup.   

Los Angeles and California officials opposed to the deployment noted that the National Guard troops played no role in actually breaking up protests or civil disturbances, with their deployment primarily restricted to standing guard outside the downtown federal building to prevent unauthorized access. Work to quell protests was done primarily by the Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol.  

"For more than five months, the Trump administration has held California National Guard troops hostage as part of its political games,'' California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. "But the president is not king. And he cannot federalize the National Guard whenever, wherever, and for however long he wants, without justification. This is a good day for our democracy and the strength of the rule of law.''   

Breyer, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, issued a similar ruling earlier this year declaring the Trump administration's initial deployment order illegal, but that decision was later overturned by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Breyer is the younger brother of former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.