A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that the National Guard troops violated the law when President Trump deployed them in June, in Los Angeles, after the migratory protests that became violent.
Federal judge Charles Breyer ruled that his actions violated a law of 1878 that, in general, prohibits federal troops from participating in the application of civil law.
“This was intentional: the defendants instigated a deployment of months of the National Guard and the Marine Infantry in Los Angeles in order to establish a military presence there and enforce the federal law. This conduct constitutes a serious violation of the POSSE Committus Law,” Breyer wrote.
Although most of the troops are no longer deployed in the city, the judge’s order prevents the remaining ones from making arrests, records, traffic patrols and disturbance control until the government complies with a valid legal exception.
Trump displays the National Guard in Los Angeles for protests against immigrants
Breyer suspended his order until next Friday, which gives the administration a way to appeal before it enters into force.
An Appeal Court blocked a previous order from Breyer that determined that Trump illegally federalized the National Guard and that he had to return control to the governor of California, Gavin Newsom (Democrat).
“The Armed Forces will remain in Los Angeles. This is a false narrative and a deceptive court order,” wrote federal prosecutor Bill Essayli in X. The Armed Forces have never participated directly in police operations here in Los Angeles, “he continued.
“They protect our federal employees and our properties so that our federal agents can enforce federal laws safely in front of the thugs unleashed and encouraged by state and local politicians.”
The deployment of troops triggered a confrontation between Trump and Newsom. “The courts agree: the militarization of our streets and the use of the army against US citizens is illegal.”
