US President Donald Trump

A U.S. federal judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump’s deployment of the California National Guard to Los Angeles was illegal, ordering him to return control of the troops to Governor Gavin Newsom.

The ruling by District Judge Charles Breyer on Thursday stated that the unrest in Los Angeles over Trump’s harsh immigration raids did not amount to a rebellion and therefore did not justify military intervention without state consent.

Judge Breyer described the move as a breach of democratic norms and unconstitutional overreach, while the Justice Department called the ruling “an extraordinary intrusion” into presidential powers, filing an emergency appeal. The higher court has stayed Breyer’s order temporarily, with a hearing set for June 17.

This marks the first time since 1965 that a president deployed the National Guard against a governor’s will.

Governor Newsom welcomed the decision, stating, “Trump is not a king and should stop acting like one.”

Tensions have escalated in California following Trump’s immigration crackdown, with violent protests in Los Angeles leading to vandalism, looting, and clashes with security forces. Trump, however, defended his action, saying he made the city “safe”.

The situation intensified when Senator Alex Padilla was handcuffed and removed from a press briefing while questioning Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, drawing outrage from Democrats who said the act “reeks of totalitarianism”.

Critics say Trump’s actions reflect a power grab, as protests grow in other cities ahead of Saturday’s “No Kings” nationwide demonstrations coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday and a military parade in Washington, D.C.

Despite mounting criticism, Trump has remained defiant, promising further action on immigration and teasing new policies amid backlash from both employers and civil rights groups.