Judge rules Trump’s use of National Guard in Los Angeles immigration protests unlawful

Judge Charles Breyer said on Tuesday that the deployment violated a law that stops the military from carrying out domestic law enforcement.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | September 2, 2025 07:30 PM IST

2 min read

California National Guard are positioned at the Federal Building, June 10, 2025, in downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo)

A judge has ruled that US President Donald Trump’s administration broke the law by sending National Guard troops to Los Angeles during immigration protests.

Judge Charles Breyer said on Tuesday that the deployment violated a law that stops the military from carrying out domestic law enforcement. However, he did not order the remaining troops to be withdrawn.

“The administration’s use of the National Guard in this context was unlawful,” Breyer said in his ruling, according to the Associated Press (AP).

Demonstrators march as they protest against President Donald Trump’s use of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops in the city during a rally along the 14th street corridor in northwest Washington, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (AP Photo)

California had taken the federal government to court, arguing the troops were used in ways that breached the Posse Comitatus Act. The state said the law clearly bans the military from being directly involved in domestic law enforcement.

Lawyers for Trump’s administration argued that the law did not apply in this case. They said the troops were sent to “protect federal officers” during the protests, not to enforce immigration laws.

They also said the president had authority to mobilise the troops under other legal powers.

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