SAN FRANCISCO — In a significant ruling, a federal judge has mandated that President Donald Trump relinquish control of the National Guard troops he dispatched to Los Angeles for immigration enforcement and managing civil unrest. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday, stating that the deployment was unlawful and exceeded the President’s authority under the Tenth Amendment.
The order is set to take effect Friday at noon. The federal government wasted no time, immediately filing an appeal with the Ninth Circuit court. The ruling raises questions about how it will impact the current situation in Los Angeles, which has been marked by heightened tensions and protests.
California Governor Gavin Newsom had initiated the lawsuit to contest the President’s decision, arguing that the troops were originally sent to safeguard federal property and should not be involved in immigration enforcement actions. He contended that involving the National Guard in immigration raids would only exacerbate tensions and further inflame civil disobedience.
In response, the Trump administration dismissed the lawsuit as a “crass political stunt” that jeopardizes public safety. Breyer noted that Trump’s authority was insufficient for the unilateral deployment of the approximately 4,000 National Guard personnel. The ruling specifically stated that ongoing events in Los Angeles do not constitute the kind of rebellion that would legally justify federal intervention.
Brett Shumate, an attorney for the federal government, argued that Trump’s notification to the commanding general of the National Guard sufficed for compliance with federal statutes. He insisted that even without that notification, the President possessed the right to mobilize the Guard. The Justice Department emphasized that presidential orders in these matters should not be subject to judicial review.
In a pointed rebuttal, Judge Breyer highlighted the checks on presidential power. He remarked that constitutional governance distinguishes itself from historical tyrannies, reinforcing the notion that authority is not limitless.
The protests in Los Angeles, triggered by recent immigration crackdowns, escalated following the deployment of the National Guard. These demonstrations have since spread to cities such as Boston, Chicago, and Seattle, as communities voice their fears regarding increased immigration enforcement actions that have targeted individuals in public areas, including parking lots.
In a bid to express their opposition to the raids and the military presence, dozens of mayors in the Los Angeles region united on Wednesday, demanding the cessation of both the immigration operations and the National Guard’s deployment.
As the situation continues to evolve, it remains uncertain how the federal appeal will influence the current dynamics on the ground. The community response reflects a broader concern about immigration policies, with criticisms directed at the portrayal of the situation in Los Angeles by federal authorities.
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