In a major legal setback for Donald Trump, a US federal judge has ruled that the former president&rsquo;s deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles in June was unlawful.
Judge Charles Breyer of the US District Court for the Northern District of California said the Trump administration violated the Posse Comitatus Act, a 19th-century law that bars the use of the US military for domestic law enforcement without congressional approval.
&ldquo;There were indeed protests in Los Angeles, and some individuals engaged in violence. Yet there was no rebellion, nor was civilian law enforcement unable to respond,&rdquo; the judge wrote, striking down the administration&rsquo;s justification.
The ruling prohibits the federal government from deploying or using National Guard or military troops in California to enforce domestic laws.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who was among the plaintiffs, hailed the verdict: &ldquo;Today, the court sided with democracy and the Constitution. No president is a king, not even Trump and no president can trample a state&rsquo;s power to protect its people.&rdquo;
The White House hit back, with Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly calling the decision &ldquo;another rogue judge trying to usurp the authority of the Commander-in-Chief.&rdquo;
The Department of Justice has already filed an appeal, seeking a stay of the ruling. Legal experts say the case could set an important precedent for future disputes over the use of military force on US soil.

Judge Rules Trump’s Troop Deployment Illegal

Court says Trump violated 19th-century law by sending troops to Los Angeles protests

Judge Rules Trump’s Troop Deployment Illegal

Court says Trump violated 19th-century law by sending troops to Los Angeles protests

September 3, 2025 | 14:49 IST