Trump Scores ‘Big Win’ Against Newsom In California National Guard Clash

President Donald Trump picked up another legal victory in his fight with Governor Gavin Newsom after an appeals court ruled that he acted within the law when he deployed the California National Guard to protect federal personnel and property in Los Angeles County. 

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday issued a 3-0 ruling in favor of Trump, blocking a ruling from a district judge who said Trump had violated the Constitution when he sent in the National Guard against Newsom’s wishes. 

“Both irreparable harm and the public interest weigh in favor of Defendants, who have an uncontested interest in the protection of federal agents and property and the faithful execution of law,” the court wrote in its decision. “The undisputed facts demonstrate that before the deployment of the National Guard, protesters ‘pinned down’ several federal officers and threw ‘concrete chunks, bottles of liquid, and other objects’ at the officers. Protesters also damaged federal buildings and caused the closure of at least one federal building.”

Last week, the same court granted an emergency injunction to Trump, allowing him to retain control of the guard while the case played out in court. The court said it was convinced by evidence that the guard “engaged only in protecting federal personnel and property.”

Trump deployed the National Guard earlier this month after violence broke out in multiple California cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, in response to ICE operations. At least 20 people have been federally charged with actions like spitting on or assaulting federal officers and damaging federal property, while dozens more have been arrested by local law enforcement. 

Trump celebrated the decision from the appeals court. 

“BIG WIN in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on the President’s core power to call in the National Guard! The Judges obviously realized that Gavin Newscum is incompetent and ill prepared, but this is much bigger than Gavin, because all over the United States, if our Cities, and our people, need protection, we are the ones to give it to them should State and Local Police be unable, for whatever reason, to get the job done,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “This is a Great Decision for our Country, and we will continue to protect and defend Law abiding Americans. Congratulations to the Ninth Circuit, America is proud of you tonight!”

Newsom also reacted to the decision, noting that the court wrote in its ruling that presidents don’t have unlimited ability to use the National Guard. 

“Donald Trump is not a king and not above the law. 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 posted on X. “We will not let this authoritarian use of military soldiers against citizens go unchecked.”

Tensions have remained high in Los Angeles, with the Dodgers saying Thursday that the major league baseball franchise turned away ICE agents hoping to use their parking lots. Homeland Security denied this claim, saying that vehicles with Customs and Border Protection were briefly in the parking lot for a reason unrelated to operation or enforcement actions.