A federal appeals court on Thursday temporarily lifted restrictions on President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, pausing a lower court ruling that found the operation violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in domestic policing. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted an administrative stay on U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer’s September 2 decision, allowing the Guard to remain active while the court considers the administration’s full appeal.
Judge Breyer had ruled that while Guard troops could protect federal facilities, they could not participate in arrests, crowd control, or direct law enforcement. He delayed enforcement of his order until September 12 to give the government time to appeal. The Justice Department argued that Breyer’s restrictions interfered with the president’s constitutional authority as commander in chief and posed risks to public safety amid ongoing unrest.
Trump had initially deployed thousands of Guard members and Marines to Los Angeles in June, following immigration-related protests that escalated into violent riots. Although most of the deployed forces have since returned home, approximately 300 troops remain in the area. California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, have challenged the legality of the deployment, claiming the president failed to follow the required procedures to federalize the Guard.
This legal battle reflects the broader political and legal struggle between the Trump administration and Democratic state leaders over the federal government’s role in local law enforcement and immigration control. The dispute centers on whether violent crime justifies expanded federal intervention or whether such actions constitute executive overreach.
With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, the outcome of this case could carry significant political consequences. It underscores the continuing debate over state versus federal authority, public safety, and the limits of presidential power during civil unrest and politically sensitive crises.
