In a significant legal victory, President Donald Trump reportedly celebrated a federal appeals court decision on Thursday that restored his control over the National Guard in Los Angeles amid ongoing immigration protests.
The ruling, issued by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, temporarily paused an earlier decision by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, who had deemed the deployment unlawful and ordered the Guard’s control returned to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The court’s swift reversal, which occurred just two hours after Breyer’s ruling, has added a layer of complexity to the ongoing national debate over presidential power, military presence in civilian life, and immigration enforcement.
Trump took to his Truth Social account to express his approval of the court’s decision, asserting that his deployment of the National Guard was crucial for maintaining order in Los Angeles.
“If I didn’t send the Military into Los Angeles, that city would be burning to the ground right now. We saved L.A. Thank you for the Decision!!!” he wrote.
The situation in Los Angeles has intensified over the past two weeks, with protests erupting in response to federal immigration policies. Critics, including Governor Newsom, have condemned the military presence as an overreach of authority.
Newsom, who expressed confidence that the district court’s initial ruling would ultimately be upheld, has characterized the deployment as a troubling example of authoritarianism.
As the controversy unfolds, a battalion of 700 U.S. Marines is expected to arrive on Friday to support the National Guard, further escalating the military response to the protests.
The troops have been positioned to guard a federal detention center that has become a focal point for demonstrators.
This military buildup has raised alarms among civil rights advocates, who worry about the implications of using military force in domestic situations.
The 9th Circuit panel is set to hold a hearing on Tuesday to consider whether to uphold Judge Breyer’s order.
As the legal and political battles continue, the situation in Los Angeles serves as a flashpoint in the broader discussions about immigration policy and the role of the military in American society.
This unfolding drama highlights the tensions between state and federal authority, as well as the president’s assertive approach to governance in times of crisis.
The outcome of this legal struggle could have lasting implications for how similar situations are handled in the future, particularly in a country grappling with deep divisions over immigration and law enforcement.
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