In a stunning move that’s raising serious questions about states’ rights and federal authority, a liberal federal judge in California has handed operational control of the California National Guard back to Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom—directly undermining President Donald Trump’s bold crackdown on illegal immigration.
President Trump, now in his second term, has made border security and mass deportations a cornerstone of his America First agenda. As violent protests erupted in Los Angeles over recent ICE raids targeting criminal illegal aliens, Trump took swift action, deploying National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to help restore order and protect law enforcement.
But U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, a San Francisco-based Clinton appointee, issued a temporary injunction Thursday, ruling that the federal government must return full control of the California National Guard to Governor Newsom, even amid ongoing civil unrest.
Judge Breyer ordered a temporary halt to the deployment of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles, ruling in favor of Governor Newsom and against President Trump’s directive.
The ruling effectively blocks Trump’s use of the Guard in one of the most chaotic regions in the nation, despite escalating threats against ICE agents and local law enforcement.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass responded to the lawlessness by imposing a citywide curfew in parts of downtown, hoping to limit the damage as tensions boiled over. From 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., law-abiding citizens were urged to stay home—while agitators and radical protesters continued to clash with authorities.
Governor Newsom, a frequent critic of Trump’s tough-on-crime and pro-border policies, took a victory lap after the ruling, posting on X:
“BREAKING: The court has affirmed what many Americans already believe — our military should serve on battlefields, not be used to police our neighborhoods. This is more than a win for California; it’s a victory for constitutional limits nationwide. It sends a clear message to a president whose grip on power grows more extreme by the day.”
Meanwhile, President Trump fired back on Truth Social, reminding Americans what’s at stake:
“Biden let 21 Million Unvetted, Illegal Aliens flood into the Country… They’ve overwhelmed our schools, hospitals, parks, and communities. They’ve taken American jobs and turned safe neighborhoods into crime zones.”
He continued:
“I ran on a promise to carry out the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history—and I will deliver. The American people support it. Our Border Patrol and ICE agents are heroes, and I will never let left-wing radicals or activist judges tie their hands.”
Trump made it clear: under his leadership, law and order will be restored, and any illegal alien who assaults or evades arrest will face the consequences.
The case returns to court on June 20 at 10 a.m., where the fight between state control and federal authority is set to intensify.