Court showdown looms as Trump defends National Guard use in California; Newsom calls deployment unlawful and fear-driven.

Federal Court to Review Legality of Trump’s Troop Activation

President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom are set for a legal collision on Tuesday, as a federal appeals panel prepares to hear arguments over Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to respond to protests and riots in Los Angeles.

The legal fight intensified after U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled Thursday night that Trump’s activation of troops was unlawful and ordered a temporary halt to the deployment. Newsom praised the ruling, accusing Trump of acting out of “vanity” and seeking to “instill fear” in Californians.

However, the decision was swiftly stayed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, allowing Trump’s order to remain in effect until at least Tuesday. A three-judge panel — including Trump appointees Mark Bennett and Eric Miller, and Biden appointee Jennifer Sung — will decide whether the stay should continue.

In the meantime, Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are authorized to continue deploying thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines throughout California. According to court filings, the forces are designated to protect federal personnel and property from escalating anti-ICE demonstrations.

Attorneys for the Department of Justice argued that blocking Trump’s actions would “judicially countermand the Commander in Chief’s military directives” and pose a serious threat to the constitutional separation of powers. They labeled the district court's order as “unprecedented,” “constitutionally anathema,” and “dangerous.”

Judge Breyer’s ruling sparked debate among legal observers, including former DOJ official Ed Whelan, who said the decision was “far more sweeping than expected.” He suggested that Trump could invoke an alternative provision of federal law — specifically, the Insurrection Act — to override state objections and continue federal control of the Guard.

Military Parade and Protests Amplify Tensions

The court clash coincides with a high-profile military parade in Washington, D.C., scheduled for Saturday to mark the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. The event is expected to cost tens of millions of dollars and will also fall on Trump’s birthday.

Critics of the administration have branded the occasion “No Kings Day” and announced plans for nationwide protests. Organizer Ezra Levin said demonstrations would serve as “peaceful recruitment actions in the pro-democracy fight against Trump.” California is expected to see dozens of such events, with protesters mobilizing in direct response to what they perceive as authoritarian overreach.

As legal arguments prepare to unfold and public demonstrations escalate, the broader constitutional question remains unresolved: To what extent can a sitting president deploy military forces domestically over objections from state leadership?