URGENT UPDATE: A federal judge has just ordered the Trump administration to cease the deployment of the California National Guard in Los Angeles. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled on Wednesday that control of the troops must be returned to the state, marking a significant legal victory for California officials who have opposed the administration’s extraordinary use of military forces.
The ruling comes after California officials filed for a preliminary injunction, challenging President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard without the governor’s consent, aiming to bolster immigration enforcement efforts. However, Judge Breyer has temporarily put his decision on hold until Monday, leaving some uncertainty in the air.
California’s argument centered around the changing conditions in Los Angeles since the initial troop deployment began in June. Initially, over 4,000 California National Guard troops were called up, but by late October, that number had dwindled to just a few hundred, with only about 100 troops currently stationed in the Los Angeles area.
Despite this reduction, the Trump administration extended the deployment until February, continuing to use California Guard members in other cities, including Portland, Oregon, as part of a controversial strategy to send military personnel into Democratic-led areas in defiance of local opposition.
The U.S. Justice Department has argued that the Guard’s presence is still needed to protect federal personnel and property in Los Angeles. This latest development highlights the ongoing tensions between state leadership and federal authority, particularly regarding military involvement in immigration enforcement.
As the situation develops, all eyes are on the California National Guard and the implications of this ruling for future troop deployments. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
