Federal court hears arguments in case about National Guard in Los Angeles
The Trump administration deployed the National Guard to LA last week in response to protests against ICE.
HERE AND WHAT’S NEXT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE CASE OVER CONTROL OF THE NATIONAL GUARD HAS GONE TO FEDERAL COURT. LAST WEEK, A U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO RULED TRUMP EXCEEDED HIS AUTHORITY BY TAKING CONTROL OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND SENDING TROOPS TO LA IN RESPONSE TO PROTESTS AGAINST ICE. JUST TWO HOURS AFTER THAT RULING, AN APPEAL FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS GRANTED, LEADING US TO TODAY’S CIRCUIT COURT HEARING. A LAWYER FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ARGUED COURTS DO NOT HAVE A ROLE IN REVIEWING THE PRESIDENT’S DECISION TO DEPLOY THE GUARD. THE STATUTE SAYS THE PRESIDENT MAY CALL INTO FEDERAL SERVICE MEMBERS AND UNITS OF THE GUARD OF ANY STATE IN SUCH NUMBERS THAT HE CONSIDERS NECESSARY. NEWSOM SPOKE BRIEFLY BEFORE THE HEARING, SAYING THAT THE U.S. MILITARY BELONGS ON THE BATTLEFIELD, NOT ON AMERICAN STREETS. THERE’S NO CHECKS AND BALANCES LEFT IN CONGRESS. THEY’RE A LAPDOG OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. IT MEANS THERE’S ONE LEFT, AND THAT’S THE COURTS. AND AS THE CASE MOVES UP THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM, PRESIDENT TRUMP COULD BE IN FRIENDLIER TERRITORY. THE JUDGE IN THE DISTRICT COURT HEARING LAST WEEK WAS APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON. RIGHT NOW IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, A THREE JUDGE PANEL IS CONSIDERING ARGUMENTS. TWO OF THOSE JUDGES WERE APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP, THE OTHER BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN. THE LOSING SIDE COULD ASK THAT COURT FOR A NEW HEARING BEFORE AN 11 JUDGE PANEL. WE WON’T KNOW THE MAKEUP OF THAT PANEL UNTIL AN APPEAL IS MADE. THEN, IF THAT DECISION IS APPEALED, THE CASE WOULD GO TO THE SUPREME COURT, WHERE THERE IS A 6 TO 3 CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY. THE CASE IS LIKELY TO MAKE IT TO THE SUPREME COURT. AND IF THE SUPREME COURT AGREES TO TAKE IT UP, IT WILL LIKELY BE NEXT YEAR BEFORE IT’S RESOLVED. IN SAN FRANCISCO. SARAH MCGREW, KCRA THREE NEWS. WE’LL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON AIR
Federal court hears arguments in case about National Guard in Los Angeles
The Trump administration deployed the National Guard to LA last week in response to protests against ICE.
Updated: 10:46 PM PDT Jun 17, 2025
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The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Tuesday in the case involving the National Guard’s deployment in Los Angeles. The Trump administration deployed the National Guard to LA last week in response to protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit against the presidential administration, saying control over the National Guard lies with the state. Last week, a U.S. district judge ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority and that control of the Guard should return to California. Shortly after, an appeal by the Trump administration was granted, which landed the case in the Circuit Court of Appeals. A lawyer for the Trump administration argued that courts don’t have a role in reviewing the president’s decision to deploy the National Guard. Meanwhile, California’s deputy solicitor general argued the president’s actions were a threat to democracy and that federal law gives states control over the Guard. A decision is expected in the next week or two. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the case is likely to continue to move up through the federal court system and eventually land in the Supreme Court. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Tuesday in the case involving the National Guard’s deployment in Los Angeles.
The Trump administration deployed the National Guard to LA last week in response to protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit against the presidential administration, saying control over the National Guard lies with the state.
Last week, a U.S. district judge ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority and that control of the Guard should return to California. Shortly after, an appeal by the Trump administration was granted, which landed the case in the Circuit Court of Appeals.
A lawyer for the Trump administration argued that courts don’t have a role in reviewing the president’s decision to deploy the National Guard.
Meanwhile, California’s deputy solicitor general argued the president’s actions were a threat to democracy and that federal law gives states control over the Guard.
A decision is expected in the next week or two. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the case is likely to continue to move up through the federal court system and eventually land in the Supreme Court.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
