A U.S. appeals court has temporarily upheld former President Donald Trump's authority over California's National Guard, extending a legal reprieve while Governor Gavin Newsom's challenge to the deployment of troops during Los Angeles protests proceeds. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals paused a lower court ruling that previously deemed Trump's mobilization of guard units "unlawful."
The three-judge panel's decision marks the latest development in a contentious debate over federal versus state control of military resources. Trump's administration had activated guard units in June to address widespread protests, sparking criticism from California's Democratic leadership. Legal experts suggest the case could set precedents for emergency power use during civil unrest.
Governor Newsom's legal team argues the deployment violated the 180-day limit for federalized guard service under the Insurrection Act. The Trump administration countered that the move was necessary to "protect critical infrastructure" amid escalating tensions. Observers note the ruling highlights ongoing tensions between federal authority and states' rights in crisis management.
