San Francisco, CA | December 6, 2025
A federal judge on Friday raised sharp questions over President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the California National Guard during recent unrest in Los Angeles. The move, ordered by the Trump administration earlier this year, triggered heated protests and renewed debates over federal authority versus state control.
During a hearing in San Francisco, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer pressed government attorneys on whether the administration could indefinitely command state National Guard units under the guise of federal law. Judge Breyer questioned the legal boundaries of presidential power, noting that long-term federal control over state forces could undermine constitutional checks and state rights.
The Justice Department argued that the deployment was justified under federal emergency statutes, claiming it was necessary to restore order amid escalating demonstrations in Los Angeles. However, civil rights groups and state officials maintain that the decision was politically motivated and lacked sufficient legal grounding.
Judge Breyer has not yet issued a ruling, but his scrutiny signals potential legal trouble for the administration’s use of federal authority in domestic security matters. A decision is expected in the coming weeks, and it could set a major precedent for the balance of federal and state military powers.
