A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration violated US law when it deployed National Guard troops for domestic law enforcement operations in Los Angeles.
The case, filed by California Governor Gavin Newsom (D), centred on whether the deployment breached the federal Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of the military in civilian policing without congressional authorisation.
In a 52-page opinion issued on Tuesday, US District Judge Charles R. Breyer of the Northern District of California concluded that the administration had crossed that legal boundary.
“The Trump administration violated federal law with its use of National Guard troops in Los Angeles,” Judge Breyer wrote, finding that “National Guard troops carried out domestic law enforcement actions, violating the federal Posse Comitatus Act.”
He added that his ruling was “narrowly tailored,” clarifying that the decision did not require the government to withdraw all forces still stationed in the city.
“The administration was not required to pull back the 300 troops still stationed in Los Angeles,” Breyer said. “But I am blocking them from certain actions, and I have stayed my ruling until next week.”
The order means the deployment remains in place for now but curtails the role of the troops in policing activities pending further legal developments.
Boluwatife Enome
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