SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court on Friday allowed the continued deployment of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles while it considers a legal challenge over the federal government's authority to mobilize the force during protests linked to immigration enforcement operations.
The decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that had ordered President Donald Trump to return control of the California National Guard to Governor Gavin Newsom. The appellate court's order maintains the status quo pending further proceedings, according to court filings.
The dispute stems from the deployment of National Guard personnel to Los Angeles following demonstrations over federal immigration raids. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that the federalization of the Guard was unlawful, writing that it exceeded presidential authority under federal law and violated constitutional limits on federal power, according to the court order.
Breyer's ruling was scheduled to take effect on Friday, but the Justice Department quickly appealed. The 9th Circuit granted an administrative stay, allowing the troops to remain under federal control while the appeal moves forward. The court said it would hear arguments in the case at a later hearing.
California officials argued that the deployment escalated tensions and infringed on the state's authority over its National Guard forces. Newsom filed suit seeking to block the federal action and regain command of the troops. State officials said the protests, while including some incidents of violence and property damage, did not justify the extraordinary federal intervention.
The Trump administration defended the deployment, arguing that federal authorities have the power to mobilize National Guard units when necessary to protect federal personnel, property and law enforcement operations. Administration lawyers said the deployment was needed amid unrest surrounding immigration enforcement activities in Los Angeles.
The court's order does not resolve the underlying legal questions. It only pauses enforcement of the lower court's decision while appellate judges review the case. The deployment of U.S. Marines assigned to protect federal facilities was not directly affected by the district court ruling, according to court documents and government statements.
"The President's actions were both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment," Breyer wrote in his ruling, according to court records cited by news organizations.
As of Friday, National Guard personnel remained deployed in Los Angeles under federal command while the appeal continued. The 9th Circuit has scheduled further proceedings, and the litigation remains ongoing.
