A federal judge in San Francisco has barred the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard in California, delivering a blow to the president’s efforts to expand military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
In a ruling issued Tuesday, District Judge Charles Breyer found that the administration had violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the U.S. military from enforcing domestic laws. The decision overturns the federal government’s move in June to assume control of the California National Guard in response to protests against the administration’s immigration crackdown.
The White House had argued that the demonstrations, some of which turned violent in Los Angeles, amounted to a “rebellion” that justified federal intervention. But Judge Breyer rejected that reasoning.
“Yet there was no rebellion, nor was civilian law enforcement unable to respond to the protests and enforce the law,” Breyer wrote. He noted that while protests occurred, local authorities were fully capable of maintaining order without military intervention.
The ruling, which takes effect on September 12, prohibits the government from using the National Guard—or any military troops—for law enforcement activities such as arrests, riot control, or interrogations. Around 300 Guard members currently remain stationed in California.
The decision comes as the Trump administration pushes to expand troop deployments to cities nationwide, citing public safety concerns and a campaign against so-called “sanctuary cities” that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Trump has already deployed the National Guard in Washington, D.C., and is seeking to extend deployments to Chicago and other Democratic-led cities.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have strongly opposed the move, accusing the administration of overreach. Johnson signed an executive order last week insisting the city’s police force “will remain a locally controlled law enforcement agency.”
In his ruling, Breyer also pointed to the administration’s broader plans, warning that officials had openly discussed creating “a national police force with the President as its chief.”
The White House has not yet commented on the decision.
