US court allows Trump to maintain control of National Guard troops deployed to LA - SCMP

US court allows Trump to maintain control of National Guard troops deployed to LA - SCMP

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily allowed President Donald Trump to maintain control of National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles. The court's decision came after a hearing on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, where arguments were presented over whether the Trump administration should return control of the troops to California Governor Gavin Newsom [1].

The deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles began on June 7, 2025, following protests against ICE raids. The initial deployment included over 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines. The Trump administration invoked Title 10, which allows the federal government to federalize the National Guard in cases of invasion or rebellion [3].

Governor Newsom had previously filed an emergency motion to stop the troops from assisting with immigration raids, arguing that the deployment was illegal and violated the Tenth Amendment. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer initially ruled that the protests in Los Angeles did not constitute a rebellion, thereby allowing the deployment to continue [1].

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, however, temporarily blocked Breyer's order, allowing Trump to keep control of the National Guard troops. The court will make a final decision on the matter this week [1, 3].

The deployment of additional troops to Los Angeles comes amidst ongoing immigration crackdowns and widespread protests. The Trump administration has activated approximately 2,000 more National Guard troops to the area, bringing the total number to 6,000. This move is part of a broader strategy to address the challenges posed by immigration issues and protests in the region [3].

The financial implications of the National Guard deployment are significant. A top Pentagon official estimated that the deployment would cost Los Angeles $134 million. The additional deployment under Title 10 allows the federal government to take control of the National Guard, which is typically under state jurisdiction [3].

The decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has far-reaching implications for the balance of power between the federal and state governments, as well as the use of the military in domestic affairs. The court's ruling will be closely watched by legal scholars and political analysts alike.

References:
[1] https://katu.com/news/nation-world/9th-us-circuit-court-appeals-court-to-hear-arguments-over-president-donald-trump-national-guard-deployment-in-los-angeles-california-immigration-ice-raids-governor-newsom?photo=3
[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/the-seven-trump/2025/06/13/what-to-know-about-donald-trump/
[3] https://kfiam640.iheart.com/featured/la-local-news/content/2025-06-18-trump-orders-2000-more-national-guard-troops-to-los-angeles/