Federal Judge Declares Trump's National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles Illegal

Tue Sep 23 2025 10:47:18 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A federal judge has ruled that President Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles was unlawful, citing violations of the Posse Comitatus Act.

A recent ruling by US District Judge Charles Breyer has determined that President Trump violated the Posse Comitatus Act by deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles during the summer. The ruling, which reacts to the President's use of military enforcement amidst domestic protests, has raised significant legal concerns about his administration's approach towards military personnel in domestic law enforcement. This decision may impact Trump's future plans concerning military deployment in other US cities.

A federal judge in California ruled that President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles over the summer was illegal. The ruling arises amid Trump’s attempts to use National Guard personnel to address crime in various cities and bolster immigration enforcement efforts.

US District Judge Charles Breyer stated Trump’s actions breached the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the federal government's ability to employ military forces for domestic issues. The controversy centers around the assertion that Trump's National Guard troops were improperly utilized for law enforcement purposes.

In response, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly criticized the ruling, calling the judge 'rogue' for attempting to limit the Commander-in-Chief's authority to maintain order. The ruling is currently on hold until September 12.

The Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision. Kelly reiterated the President's commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens, asserting that this legal ruling would not signify the end of the administration's stance on security.

California Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the court’s decision, affirming that it reflects a commitment to democracy and the Constitution. Newsom had previously filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging violations of the Posse Comitatus Act following the deployment of National Guard troops in response to protests against immigration raids in June.

Judge Breyer's decision, while only applicable in California, could influence the legal landscape surrounding the military's role in enforcing Trump's policies across the United States. He flagged the President's public statements and orders as indicative of a possible shift towards unconstitutional military governance.

Concerns were raised over the National Guard's involvement in tasks typically reserved for local law enforcement, such as crowd control and traffic management. Breyer noted that the actions taken by the Guard in Los Angeles constituted violations of the law that prohibits military involvement in local law enforcement operations.

This ruling might lead to further legal challenges to Trump's ongoing military strategy, particularly as he expands deployments of the National Guard in cities like Washington D.C. and potentially Chicago in the near future.