Protests Erupt in Los Angeles as Court Temporarily Supports Trump's Deployment of National Guard

On June 8, 2025, California National Guard soldiers were stationed at the Federal Detention Center in Los Angeles, amid significant unrest in the city. More than 1,000 demonstrators clashed with National Guard troops during recent protests against intensified immigration raids across California, highlighting tensions over the enforcement actions.

In response to legal challenges regarding the deployment, a U.S. appeals court granted President Donald Trump permission to keep the National Guard troops in Los Angeles temporarily. This ruling halted a lower court's decision that had blocked the mobilization, indicating a complex legal landscape concerning presidential powers. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals scheduled a hearing for further consideration, but their preliminary ruling does not necessarily indicate a final stance.

Previously, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer had ordered the National Guard to return under the authority of California Governor Gavin Newsom, after finding Trump's deployment to be unlawful. Judge Breyer argued that Trump's actions exceeded his legal authority and violated constitutional provisions, necessitating a transfer of control back to the state's governor.

In the wake of the appeals court's decision, Trump expressed his belief that his intervention was crucial for maintaining order in Los Angeles, asserting that the city would be in chaos without the military presence. This deployment marked a significant turning point, as it was the first instance in sixty years where a president had mobilized a state's National Guard against the wishes of its governor.

Citing legal statutes, Trump justified the deployment based on perceived threats to federal authority, although Judge Breyer contested this by stating the protests were not representative of rebellion. As the appeals court reviews the situation, the case underscores the intricate balance of power between state and federal governments, as scholars and legal experts closely observe its developments.