Judge Strikes Down Trump's 'Illegal' Military Power Grab in California

Paul Riverbank, 6/14/2025In a landmark ruling, a federal judge has declared President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles unconstitutional, ordering immediate return of command to Governor Newsom. This decision underscores critical tensions between federal and state authority, while raising alarming questions about the administration's commitment to judicial oversight.

A Constitutional Crisis Unfolds: Federal Judge Checks Presidential Power in LA

The ongoing tension between state and federal authority reached a boiling point yesterday when U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer struck down President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles. I've covered countless political battles in my career, but this ruling marks an extraordinary moment in the push-and-pull between presidential power and states' rights.

Let me break this down for you. Judge Breyer's 36-page decision didn't just reject Trump's actions – it eviscerated them. The ruling declared the president's move both statutorily unauthorized and constitutionally suspect under the Tenth Amendment. By noon today, roughly 4,000 Guard troops should be back under Governor Newsom's command.

What's particularly striking about this case isn't just the ruling itself. Having covered the protests since they began, I've watched the situation deteriorate as federal forces seemed to pour gasoline on an already volatile situation. The deployment – including 700 Marines – came in response to immigration raid protests, but as anyone on the ground could tell you, it only ratcheted up tensions.

The administration's response raises red flags that should concern every American. Defense Secretary Hegseth's refusal to commit to following court orders during Rep. Khanna's questioning sent shockwaves through Washington's legal circles. I've seen my share of constitutional standoffs, but when a Cabinet official suggests ignoring federal courts, we're in uncharted waters.

Things got uglier yesterday when Senator Padilla was physically removed from a DHS briefing. I've witnessed plenty of heated moments between Congress and executive agencies, but this kind of treatment of a sitting senator is virtually unprecedented in modern times.

Meanwhile, LA Mayor Karen Bass hit a resonant note, emphasizing constitutional values amid the chaos. The city's experiencing what thousands of other communities might face June 14th, when demonstrations are planned nationwide. Recent clashes in Spokane, Tucson, and Indianapolis suggest we're far from seeing the last of this unrest.

Trump's already appealing, naturally. His Truth Social post claimed LA would be "a crime scene like we haven't seen in years" without military intervention. But here's what fascinates me: a bipartisan group of former military leaders filed a brief supporting Newsom. Their warning about politicizing the military carries extra weight given their diverse political backgrounds.

Looking ahead to the June 20th preliminary injunction hearing, we're left with more questions than answers. DHS Secretary Noem's defiant "we are not going away" stance suggests this constitutional showdown is far from over. In my three decades covering politics, I've rarely seen the potential for such a direct confrontation between federal authority and judicial oversight.

The coming days will test not just legal precedents, but the very framework of our federal system. Stay tuned – this story's far from over.

A Constitutional Crisis Unfolds: Federal Judge Checks Presidential Power in LAThe ongoing tension between state and federal authority reached a boiling point yesterday when U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer struck down President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles. I've covered countless political battles in my career, but this ruling marks an extraordinary moment in the push-and-pull between presidential power and states' rights.Let me break this down for you. Judge Breyer's 36-page decision didn't just reject Trump's actions – it eviscerated them. The ruling declared the president's move both statutorily unauthorized and constitutionally suspect under the Tenth Amendment. By noon today, roughly 4,000 Guard troops should be back under Governor Newsom's command.What's particularly striking about this case isn't just the ruling itself. Having covered the protests since they began, I've watched the situation deteriorate as federal forces seemed to pour gasoline on an already volatile situation. The deployment – including 700 Marines – came in response to immigration raid protests, but as anyone on the ground could tell you, it only ratcheted up tensions.The administration's response raises red flags that should concern every American. Defense Secretary Hegseth's refusal to commit to following court orders during Rep. Khanna's questioning sent shockwaves through Washington's legal circles. I've seen my share of constitutional standoffs, but when a Cabinet official suggests ignoring federal courts, we're in uncharted waters.Things got uglier yesterday when Senator Padilla was physically removed from a DHS briefing. I've witnessed plenty of heated moments between Congress and executive agencies, but this kind of treatment of a sitting senator is virtually unprecedented in modern times.Meanwhile, LA Mayor Karen Bass hit a resonant note, emphasizing constitutional values amid the chaos. The city's experiencing what thousands of other communities might face June 14th, when demonstrations are planned nationwide. Recent clashes in Spokane, Tucson, and Indianapolis suggest we're far from seeing the last of this unrest.Trump's already appealing, naturally. His Truth Social post claimed LA would be "a crime scene like we haven't seen in years" without military intervention. But here's what fascinates me: a bipartisan group of former military leaders filed a brief supporting Newsom. Their warning about politicizing the military carries extra weight given their diverse political backgrounds.Looking ahead to the June 20th preliminary injunction hearing, we're left with more questions than answers. DHS Secretary Noem's defiant "we are not going away" stance suggests this constitutional showdown is far from over. In my three decades covering politics, I've rarely seen the potential for such a direct confrontation between federal authority and judicial oversight.The coming days will test not just legal precedents, but the very framework of our federal system. Stay tuned – this story's far from over.