Last Thursday, a U.S. appeals court ruled that President Donald Trump can continue to control California’s National Guard, despite a legal challenge from the state’s Democratic governor. The decision came as a three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals extended a pause on a previous ruling that questioned the legality of the president’s actions.
Governor Gavin Newsom has been contesting President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to address protests and unrest in Los Angeles. The protests, which spread across the city, were in response to social issues that have ignited demonstrations nationwide.
In June, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that President Trump had unlawfully called the National Guard into federal service. However, the appeals court’s recent decision allows the president to maintain control over the troops while the legal battle continues.
The National Guard is a reserve military force that can be called upon during emergencies. Typically, it operates under the control of state governors, but under certain circumstances, the federal government can assume command.
This legal dispute highlights ongoing tensions between federal authority and state rights in the United States, especially during times of civil unrest. Many are watching closely to see how this case will impact the balance of power between the president and state governments.
