A U.S. federal judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump acted illegally when he deployed the California National Guard to Los Angeles over the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom during ongoing immigration protests.
In a landmark decision on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ordered Trump to return control of the National Guard to the state, declaring the former president’s unilateral deployment an overreach of executive power.
“This was an illegal use of federal authority,” Breyer wrote in his 36-page ruling. “He must therefore return control to Governor Newsom.”
The Department of Justice swiftly filed an emergency appeal, arguing that the judge’s decision amounted to an “extraordinary intrusion” into the constitutional powers of the president as Commander-in-Chief. While Breyer temporarily stayed his order until Friday, a higher court later extended the stay pending a hearing scheduled for June 17.
The ruling comes in response to Trump’s decision to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles amid protests triggered by a crackdown on undocumented immigrants. The protests began on June 6 and escalated with sporadic violence, including vandalism, looting, and the torching of driverless taxis.
Trump justified the deployment by claiming the city was “burning” and had descended into “rebellion,” but Judge Breyer firmly rejected that assertion, stating the unrest fell “far short” of an insurrection.
Political Fallout and Public Reaction
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a frequent critic of Trump and potential Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential race, welcomed the ruling.
“Donald Trump is not a king. He needs to stop acting like one,” Newsom said.
Trump, for his part, remained defiant, taking credit for restoring order in Los Angeles and claiming Newsom had “totally lost control.”
The court’s decision coincides with growing unrest across the U.S. as Trump’s immigration enforcement measures, including the use of masked federal agents and military personnel, spark protests in major cities.
One particularly dramatic moment came earlier Thursday when California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference while attempting to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Video footage shows Padilla being pushed to the ground and handcuffed by federal agents.
“This reeks of totalitarianism,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who demanded a formal investigation.
The White House responded by dismissing the incident as a “staged stunt,” accusing Padilla—without evidence—of “lunging” at Secretary Noem.
Looking Ahead
Judge Breyer’s ruling sets the stage for a major legal showdown over the limits of presidential power. It also comes just ahead of a planned nationwide “No Kings” protest scheduled for Saturday, which coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday and a controversial military parade in Washington, D.C. The parade, originally intended to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, is now seen by critics as a show of force by the former president.
While Trump has hinted at adjusting immigration policies amid pushback from industries reliant on migrant labor, no concrete shift has been announced.
The legal and political implications of the court’s decision could ripple well beyond California, particularly as tensions continue to rise in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections.
