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Federal Judge Halts National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles

2025-12-10

The BareStory

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration from deploying California National Guard members in Los Angeles and ordered that they be returned to state control. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer grants a preliminary injunction sought by California officials, who sued to block the federalization of state troops.

The legal conflict began in June 2025, when the administration federalized thousands of California National Guard troops in response to protests related to immigration. While most have since been released from federal service, about 300 have remained under federal command. In his 35-page order, the judge stated there was no evidence that the execution of federal laws was being hindered, a condition required to justify federal control. He wrote that the deployment was "contrary to law" and risked "creating a national police force."

A White House spokesperson, Abigail Jackson, said the president had exercised his lawful authority to support federal officers after what she described as "violent riots." Senior administration officials also argued the deployment was necessary to address an increase in violent crime and threats from protesters. Conversely, California officials had argued there was no basis for continued federal control, accusing the administration of a "months-long military occupation, without any justification."

Judge Breyer has put his order on hold until Monday, December 15, to allow the Justice Department time to appeal. The White House has indicated it will likely appeal. The administration has faced similar legal challenges for federalizing National Guard troops in other states, including Oregon and Illinois, over the objections of their governors.

Left Perspective

  • The president exercised lawful authority in deploying the troops.
  • The deployment was a necessary response to violence and threats.
  • The action is part of a consistent response to unrest in other states.

Right Perspective

  • The federalization of state troops was ruled to be contrary to law.
  • The continued deployment amounted to an unjustified military occupation.
  • The action risks creating an unconstitutional national police force.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• This case could establish a legal precedent on the president's authority to federalize National Guard troops for domestic law enforcement without a governor's consent.

• The outcome may clarify the balance of power between federal and state governments in managing civil unrest, as similar conflicts have occurred in other states.

• The final ruling will impact whether federalized troops can be used to address local crime or protests, which the judge warned could create a "national police force."

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