Trump National Guard case heads to California court

A California court will hear a high-stakes challenge to President Trump's use of the National Guard during immigration raids, focusing on constitutional limits and state sovereignty.

Trump National Guard case heads to California court

The case moves to a San Francisco federal court for a bench trial before Judge Charles R. Breyer. It asks whether Trump violated the Posse Comitatus Act, the 10th Amendment, or the Administrative Procedure Act by federalizing the California National Guard to respond to immigration raids in Los Angeles despite objections from Governor Newsom. Lawyers for Trump say the troops were limited to protecting federal property and personnel and did not perform police duties.

Newsom's lawyers argue the move overruled state officials and undermined California sovereignty, while Trump's side cites Section 12406(3) to authorize federalization when federal forces cannot enforce the laws, insisting orders were issued with appropriate scope. The hearing will feature witness testimony from Maj. Gen. Scott M. Sherman and William Harrington to clarify the deployment and the guard's activities, along with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement representative.

The trial tests a long-standing question at the heart of American democracy: who controls the use of the military at home. A ruling could recalibrate the balance between federal power and state sovereignty and set a standard for how presidents may deploy military resources in domestic affairs.

Beyond the legal questions, the case mirrors a political clash between a Republican president and a Democratic governor. The outcome may influence public trust in government actions during crises and shape how courts constrain executive power in future disputes involving national security and immigration enforcement.

Highlights

The courtroom will decide how far presidential power can reach into domestic affairs.