
In a significant blow to President Donald Trump’s authority, a federal judge has temporarily halted the deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, citing a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act. Senior U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued the preliminary injunction on Tuesday, following a three-day bench trial.
The Posse Comitatus Act, passed in 1878, prohibits the use of the U.S. military to execute domestic law. Judge Breyer found that the Trump administration willfully violated this law by sending troops to Los Angeles to quash protests over immigration raids. While acknowledging that some individuals engaged in violence during the protests, Breyer noted that there was no rebellion and civilian law enforcement was capable of responding to the situation.
The ruling is a clear rebuke of Trump’s actions, with Breyer stating that the Defense Department “knowingly contradicted their own training materials” and that the president’s deployment of troops was a “willful” violation of the law. California Attorney General Rob Bonta welcomed the ruling, saying that it “affirms that President Trump is not King, and the power of the executive is not boundless.”
Bonta criticized Trump’s use of National Guard troops and Marines as “pawns” to further his anti-immigrant agenda, and argued that they could be better utilized to tackle pressing issues such as fentanyl and wildfires. The ruling is a significant setback for Trump, who has faced widespread criticism for his handling of the situation in Los Angeles.
The temporary halt on the deployment of troops is a major victory for Governor Gavin Newsom, who had opposed the move from the outset. The ruling is likely to be appealed by the Trump administration, but for now, it represents a significant check on the president’s power and a reaffirmation of the importance of upholding the Posse Comitatus Act. As Bonta noted, “our military be apolitical and the activities of troops on U.S. soil be extremely limited to ensure civil liberties and protect against military overreach.”








