Court Ruling Fuels National Guard Control Dispute

Clear Facts

• A federal appeals court ruled in favor of President Trump, allowing him to maintain control of the California National Guard.
• Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to continue challenging the decision, claiming it undermines legal checks on presidential power.
• The court acknowledged the President’s authority while noting that his decisions are not beyond judicial review.

In a significant legal development, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of President Donald Trump, allowing him to retain control over the California National Guard. This decision comes as a setback for Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who had sought to wrest control from the President following the deployment of the Guard to Los Angeles amid riots linked to Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions.

Governor Newsom, undeterred by the court’s ruling, took to social media to express his determination to continue the legal battle. He stated, “Tonight, the court rightly rejected Trump’s claim that he can do whatever he wants with the National Guard and not have to explain himself to a court.” Newsom further emphasized his commitment to challenging what he perceives as an “authoritarian use of military soldiers against citizens.”

The court’s decision was delivered by a three-judge panel comprising Judges Mark J. Bennett and Eric D. Miller, both appointed by Trump, and Jennifer Sung, a Biden appointee. The panel found that “it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority” in federalizing the National Guard, thereby supporting the President’s core authority.

Despite the ruling favoring presidential power, the court did not entirely dismiss the possibility of judicial oversight. It noted that the President’s decision is not “completely insulated from judicial review,” indicating that there remains a pathway for further legal scrutiny.

President Trump celebrated the ruling on social media, describing it as a triumph for national security and the President’s prerogative to protect American citizens. He remarked, “This is a Great Decision for our Country, and we will continue to protect and defend Law abiding Americans.”

As the legal battle continues, the implications of this decision extend beyond California, potentially affecting the balance of state and federal powers across the United States. Governor Newsom’s resolve to press forward suggests that this issue is far from settled.

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