A federal judge based in San Francisco has mandated that President Trump relinquish control of the National Guard, returning authority to the state of California.
This ruling follows a tumultuous scene in downtown Los Angeles, where thousands of anti-ICE protesters converged on a federal facility on Monday.
In response to the escalating violence during these protests, approximately 700 US Marines were mobilized.
Previously, President Trump had authorized the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops to help manage the unrest.
On the same day as the protests, Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to sue Trump for what he claims is a constitutional violation.
BREAKING: We are taking legal action against Donald Trump.
This crisis has been artificially created. He is instilling fear to seize control over state militias and undermine the U.S. Constitution.
The unlawful order he signed could enable him to deploy military forces in ANY STATE HE CHOOSES.
Every governor—regardless of political affiliation—should be alarmed by this.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 9, 2025
US District Judge Charles Breyer, a Clinton appointee and brother of retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, granted Newsom a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and deemed Trump’s federalization of the National Guard to be unlawful.
On Tuesday, Newsom had initially sought an ex parte TRO against Trump concerning the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles.
After a brief denial of Newsom’s request for an immediate restraining order, Judge Breyer conducted an emergency hearing and subsequently issued a TRO on Thursday evening.
In a 36-page ruling, Judge Breyer characterized President Trump’s actions as “illegal.”
Consequently, the Court GRANTS the Plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order.
• Defendants are temporarily PROHIBITED from deploying members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles.
• Defendants are ORDERED to return control of the California National Guard to Governor Newsom.
• The Court has STAYED this order until noon on June 13, 2025.
• Plaintiffs must post a nominal bond of $100 within 24 hours. This bond is to be filed in the Clerk’s Office and deposited into the Court’s registry. Failure to post the bond by the specified date and time will result in the dissolution of this Order.
A subsequent hearing is scheduled for June 20.
