A federal judge in California ruled Tuesday that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority when he deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in June, citing the Posse Comitatus Act, a 19th-century law limiting military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
The decision followed a three-day trial examining the scope of presidential authority over domestic military operations.
Trump’s deployment aimed to support federal authorities during immigration enforcement operations, despite objections from Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
The operation coincided with protests against the administration’s immigration policies.
Attorneys for California argued that the continued presence of troops created a “chilling” effect on city life, including restaurant closures, canceled events and residents avoiding public spaces.
Judge Charles Breyer, a Clinton appointee, repeatedly questioned the limits of presidential power during the trial.
“What limiting factors are there to the use of this force?” he asked, emphasizing that federal troop deployments in civilian areas must comply with the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally prohibits using the military as a domestic police force without congressional approval.
The Trump administration argued that the National Guard acted within legal boundaries to protect federal property and personnel.
Justice Department attorney Eric Hamilton told the court, “If