A U.S. appeals court ruled on Thursday, June 19th, that President Donald Trump can maintain control over National Guard troops deployed in Los Angeles, despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The decision came after Trump ordered thousands of National Guard members and Marines to the city in response to protests sparked by federal immigration actions—something both local leaders and Newsom had strongly opposed.
The court’s three-judge panel unanimously ruled that Trump acted within his authority by deploying 4,000 National Guard troops for 60 days to safeguard federal personnel and property. The panel stated that the president’s actions were in line with his constitutional powers.
Trump wasted no time celebrating the ruling, calling it a “BIG WIN” in a Truth Social post. “If our cities and people need protection, we’re the ones to provide it when state and local police can’t get the job done,” Trump wrote.
Governor Newsom, however, responded strongly to the decision, emphasizing that “Trump is not a king and not above the law,” continuing to challenge the president’s move. The court’s ruling has set the stage for continued tension between the federal government and California officials, with the deployment of troops still a contentious issue.
