Judge Examines Legality of Trump’s Deployment of National Guard to Los Angeles

A three-day trial starting Monday will determine whether the Trump administration broke federal law by sending National Guard troops and US Marines to Los Angeles in June.

The Details: California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit on June 9 against President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying they violated the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which prevents the president from using the military as a domestic police force, and the 10th Amendment. Trump’s lawyers responded in a court filing that the troops were sent “only to protect federal property and personnel” and not engage in law enforcement activities. The case could set a precedent for how US presidents can deploy the National Guard in states.

For Context: In June, Trump federalized and deployed almost 4,000 California National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to quell immigration protests and violence. Presiding San Francisco Judge Charles Breyer previously found that the Trump administration exceeded its authority, and violated the 10th Amendment, which defines power between federal and state governments.

How the Media Covered It: Reuters (Center bias) highlighted Monday testimony from US Army Major General Scott Sherman who said protests posed “little risk” and recalled a DHS official questioning his loyalty after he denied military assistance. Democracy Now (Left) interviewed California Attorney General Rob Bonta who criticized ICE operations, and emphasized the Guard’s focus should be on other issues, including wildfire response. Fox News (Right) framed the case as Trump’s “fight” to federalize the Guard, and highlighted Judge Breyer’s past rulings against Trump, describing him as a “Clinton appointee and brother of retired liberal Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.” Outlets across the spectrum contextualized the trial in Trump’s recent deployment of National Guard members to Washington D.C.

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