Los Angeles, January 2, 2026
In a landmark ruling, a federal appeals court has directed President Donald Trump to return the California National Guard to the state’s control, concluding the federal deployment of troops in Los Angeles. The court’s decision follows legal challenges that highlighted the violation of state sovereignty and the Tenth Amendment. Governor Gavin Newsom welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the importance of state authority over military forces and the need for service members to be reunited with their families.
San Francisco, California
Federal Appeals Court Orders Return of California National Guard to State Control
A federal appeals court has mandated that President Donald Trump return control of the California National Guard to Governor Gavin Newsom, effectively ending the federalization of state troops deployed in Los Angeles. This decision follows a series of legal challenges questioning the legality of the federal deployment.
Legal Challenges and Court Rulings
In June 2025, President Trump federalized approximately 4,000 members of the California National Guard to assist federal personnel and protect federal property in Los Angeles amid protests over immigration enforcement. Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit, arguing that the deployment violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded the President’s statutory authority. On June 12, 2025, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer ruled that the federalization was illegal and ordered the return of control to Governor Newsom. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals initially paused this ruling, but on December 31, 2025, it lifted the stay, affirming the lower court’s decision. The Trump administration did not seek further appeals, leading to the finalization of the ruling.
Implications of the Court’s Decision
The court’s decision underscores the principle of state sovereignty and the limitations of federal authority over state military forces. Governor Newsom welcomed the ruling, directing California National Guard leadership to expedite the return of service members to their families. He emphasized that the federalization was an overreach and expressed relief that the troops would now be under state command, where they can continue to serve and protect the people of California.
Background on the Deployment
The deployment of the California National Guard was part of a broader federal initiative to address protests and unrest in various cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland. These actions faced significant opposition from local and state officials, who argued that the federal intervention was unnecessary and infringed upon state rights. Legal challenges in these jurisdictions questioned the legality of the federalization, leading to court orders that halted or reversed the deployments. The recent ruling in California aligns with these previous decisions, reinforcing the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional principles regarding the use of military forces within states.
Next Steps
With the Ninth Circuit’s decision, the California National Guard is set to return to state control. Governor Newsom has instructed state military leaders to coordinate the demobilization process, ensuring that service members are safely and promptly reunited with their families. The ruling also serves as a precedent for similar legal challenges in other states, highlighting the importance of adhering to constitutional procedures when deploying National Guard units.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What did the federal appeals court rule regarding the California National Guard?
The federal appeals court ordered President Donald Trump to return control of the California National Guard to Governor Gavin Newsom, ending the federalization of state troops deployed in Los Angeles.
Why was the California National Guard federalized?
In June 2025, President Trump federalized approximately 4,000 members of the California National Guard to assist federal personnel and protect federal property in Los Angeles amid protests over immigration enforcement.
What was the legal basis for challenging the federalization?
Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta argued that the federalization violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded the President’s statutory authority, leading to a lawsuit against the federal government.
What does this ruling mean for state sovereignty?
The ruling reinforces the principle of state sovereignty, affirming that the federal government cannot unilaterally federalize state National Guard units without the state’s consent, thereby upholding constitutional limitations on federal authority.
What are the next steps following the court’s decision?
Governor Newsom has directed California National Guard leadership to coordinate the demobilization process, ensuring that service members are safely and promptly reunited with their families.
Key Features of the California National Guard Federalization Case
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Initial Federalization | President Trump federalized approximately 4,000 members of the California National Guard in June 2025 to assist federal personnel and protect federal property in Los Angeles amid protests over immigration enforcement. |
| Legal Challenge | Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that the federalization violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded the President’s statutory authority. |
| District Court Ruling | On June 12, 2025, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer ruled that the federalization was illegal and ordered the return of control to Governor Newsom. |
| Appeals Court Decision | The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals initially paused the ruling but lifted the stay on December 31, 2025, affirming the lower court’s decision and mandating the return of control to the state. |
| Governor’s Response | Governor Newsom welcomed the ruling, directing state military leaders to expedite the return of service members to their families and emphasizing the overreach of the federalization. |
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