Judge orders Trump administration to stop California National Guard troop deployment in Los Angeles

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California Army National Guard members provide protection to federal law enforcement personnel, property, and function during a federal operation in Los Angeles, June 13, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Chase Murray)

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the Trump administration to stop deploying California National Guard troops in Los Angeles and return control of the service members to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
 

Judge blocks Trump's national guard deployment in LA

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration's deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles and ordered them to return control to California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The order, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer, is a blow to the Trump administration, and comes six months after the president in June deployed thousands of federalized National Guard troops to the city in response to a wave of immigration protests.

Breyer rejected the Trump administration’s claim that the demonstrations in Los Angeles amount to a "rebellion" sufficient to justify the president’s continued deployment of National Guard troops in the city under U.S.C. Section 12406, which allows a sitting president to call up or federalize National Guard troops during instances of a foreign invasion or in instances when the president is "unable to execute the law."

Breyer said in the 35-page order that the deployment runs "contrary to law" and risks "creating a national police force made up of state troops." 

"The founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balance," Breyer said Wednesday. "Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one."

White House officials said on Wednesday that they looked forward to "ultimate victory" on the issue, suggesting they are likely to appeal the order to a higher court for review. 
 

The backstory:

More than 4,000 California National Guard troops were initially called up, but that number had dropped to several hundred by late October. Around 100 troops remain in the Los Angeles area.

The Republican administration extended the deployment until February while also trying to use California Guard members in Portland, Oregon as part of its effort to send the military into Democratic-run cities over the objections of mayors and governors.

U.S. Justice Department lawyers said the administration still needed Guard members in the Los Angeles area to help protect federal personnel and property.