Judge Blocks Trump’s Military Push in LA — For Now

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops in Los Angeles, delivering a sharp rebuke to the president’s escalating immigration crackdown and sparking a major test of constitutional limits. The ruling, issued Thursday, came in response to California’s emergency lawsuit aimed at halting the use of military force amid intensifying protests across the city.

⚖️ The Ruling: “This Is Not How Our System Works”

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that President Trump overstepped his legal authority by attempting to take command of the California National Guard without the state’s consent. In his 36-page decision, Breyer sided with Gov. Gavin Newsom, ordering that control of the Guard be returned to the state — at least temporarily.

The judge even questioned the administration’s claim that Los Angeles was in a state of armed rebellion, noting that there was no real evidence of firearms being used — only mentions of “fireworks, rocks, mangoes, and chairs.”

🪖 What Happens Next?

The order, which takes effect Friday at 12 p.m. PT, puts a hold on Trump’s federalization of the California National Guard. However, Breyer did not block the activation of 700 active-duty Marines, saying a ruling was premature since they hadn’t arrived in LA yet.

The Trump administration quickly appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, hoping to delay enforcement of the order. Meanwhile, Gov. Newsom praised the decision as a win for the Constitution.

🚨 What Sparked the Crisis?

The legal fight stems from a week of unrest triggered by federal ICE raids across Los Angeles. The immigration sweeps have led to mass protests, some clashes, and over 400 arrests.

• Protesters say Trump is using the military to enforce mass deportations

• Federal officials claim the troops are only providing security at government buildings

• Some Guard members have been stationed outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown LA

Local officials, including LA Mayor Karen Bass, have blasted the federal presence as provocative and unnecessary.

🔥 The Protests Continue

While most demonstrations have remained peaceful, there have been incidents of looting, vandalism, and assaults. Authorities say several officers have been injured and at least two individuals have been charged with throwing Molotov cocktails at police.

A curfew remains in place across a 1-square-mile section of downtown LA. Officials expect it to remain in effect as long as tensions continue — especially if Marines show up in force.

A Larger Test Case?

Critics worry that Los Angeles is just the beginning. Trump has floated the idea of sending military forces to other cities with large immigrant populations. The administration claims it’s targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions, but many of those detained in recent raids include:

• Asylum seekers

• Visa overstayers

• Migrants awaiting court dates

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) raised alarm bells this week, comparing the LA deployment to the lack of military response on January 6, 2021. He questioned whether there’s a double standard based on political agendas.

📍 The Bottom Line

This ruling isn’t just about Los Angeles — it’s about the limits of federal power, the role of the military in civilian spaces, and the strength of state rights under pressure.

✅ The court said no — for now.
🕛 The next move? Up to the Ninth Circuit.
⚖️ The stakes? Constitutional authority and the future of protest policing in America.

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