Washington, DC [US], June 20 (ANI): A federal appeals court panel on Thursday allowed US President Donald Trump to continue the deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, temporarily pausing a lower court’s ruling that had deemed the move illegal. The decision comes amid ongoing legal disputes over the president’s authority to federalize the Guard without state consent.
The unanimous order was issued by a three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, which included two Trump appointees—Judges Eric Miller and Mark Bennett—and Judge Jennifer Sung, appointed by former President Joe Biden. The ruling extends a stay on US District Judge Charles Breyer’s earlier order that would have required Trump to return control of the troops to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
In their unsigned 38-page opinion, the panel stated, “We emphasize, however, that our decision addresses only the facts before us. And although we hold that the President likely has authority to federalize the National Guard, nothing in our decision addresses the nature of the activities in which the federalized National Guard may engage.”
The panel also rejected the administration’s broader claim that Trump’s deployment decision is unreviewable by the courts, noting that while judicial oversight exists, it must be “highly deferential” in matters of executive authority during crises. “Affording the President that deference, we conclude that it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority,” the court stated.
Trump’s deployment of thousands of National Guard troops came in response to recent violent protests in Los Angeles, during which federal immigration offices were targeted. According to filings, demonstrators reportedly threw Molotov cocktails and vandalized property, significantly impeding federal law enforcement operations.
Governor Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta had filed suit against the deployment, arguing that Trump had overstepped his authority and failed to meet a legal requirement to issue the federalization order “through” the governor. The appeals panel, however, found that informing the California National Guard’s adjutant general was likely adequate, adding that the statute “does not give governors any veto power over the President’s federalization decision.”
The ruling represents a temporary legal victory for the Trump administration. However, the matter is not yet settled. Judge Breyer, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton and is the brother of retired US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, is scheduled to hold a hearing on Friday to consider whether to impose an indefinite injunction.
Trump invoked a statute that allows the president to federalize the National Guard either in cases of rebellion or when the enforcement of federal law cannot be achieved with regular forces. The appeals panel concluded that the latter condition was likely met, citing disruptions caused by the protests.
As legal proceedings continue, the case remains a significant test of presidential authority and state sovereignty in times of civil unrest. (ANI)
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