Appeals Court Allows Trump to Maintain National Guard Deployment in LA Amidst Legal Battle

A federal appeals court has temporarily permitted former President Donald Trump to keep National Guard troops deployed in Los Angeles. This decision, issued by a three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, delays the enforcement of a lower court’s ruling that deemed the deployment illegal. The panel, including judges appointed by both Trump and President Biden, stated their decision was based on the facts presented and didn’t address the specific activities the federalized National Guard may engage in. While the court acknowledged the president’s authority to federalize the National Guard, they stressed a need for judicial deference in such matters. The order came following Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to protect immigration officers during recent, sometimes violent, protests in Los Angeles. The appeals court’s decision marks a win for Trump; however, a hearing is scheduled to determine whether an indefinite injunction should be issued. The judges found that the statutory requirement for deployment was likely met, citing the obstruction of federal officers in law enforcement. Furthermore, the court dismissed the argument from California Governor Gavin Newsom, asserting that Trump’s communication with the adjutant general was likely sufficient for deployment, without requiring the governor’s consent.