Ninth Circuit Rules Trump Illegally Seized California National Guard In 2025
On Friday, October 23, 2026, the Ninth Circuit ruled that President Donald Trump illegally seized the California National Guard in 2025.[1]
The court said Mr. Trump unlawfully ordered Guard troops onto Los Angeles streets during immigration protests despite objections from Gov. Gavin Newsom.[1] The panel explicitly relied on Supreme Court reasoning from a prior case that blocked Mr. Trump from federalizing Guard troops for deployment in Chicago.[1] Legal experts quoted in the opinion said the decision undercuts any attempt to federalize state Guard units for deployment to polling places in the upcoming midterms.[1]
In 2025, Mr. Trump seized federal control of the California National Guard and deployed troops to Los Angeles amid protests over immigration.[1] California officials, including Gov. Newsom, objected and urged that the state retain command of its Guard.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Friday, October 23, 2026, the Ninth Circuit held that President Trump violated federal law by seizing control of the California National Guard in 2025.
- The ruling found unlawful Trump’s deployment of Guard troops onto Los Angeles streets during immigration protests over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s objections.
- The appeals court explicitly relied on Supreme Court reasoning from a prior case blocking Trump from sending National Guard troops into Chicago.
- Legal experts quoted in the article say the decision undercuts any attempt to federalize state Guard units for deployment to polling places in the upcoming midterms.
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