• A federal judge has ordered President Trump's National Guard troops to be returned to California's governor.
• The ruling cites a lack of evidence justifying the deployment during protests against immigration enforcement.
• California Governor Gavin Newsom claimed the deployment was an overreach of presidential power.
• The judge characterized the administration's claims as excessively broad regarding presidential authority.
• The ruling is currently stayed until further appeal procedures are completed.

A federal judge in California has ruled that President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles must cease, ordering that the troops be returned to the control of California Governor Gavin Newsom. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued the ruling, stating the Trump administration failed to justify the federal control of the National Guard amid protests against immigration raids, which began in June. The judge expressed skepticism towards the arguments made by the administration, noting that "there is no evidence" supporting claims that the protests constituted a rebellion against the government, thus failing to meet the legal thresholds required for such federal actions. This ruling reflects a broader trend of legal challenges against Trump's decisions concerning National Guard deployments nationwide, particularly in Democratic-controlled cities, according to BBC and Los Angeles Times.

Judge Breyer's decision signifies a notable legal setback for the Trump administration, which has faced increasing challenges to its authority over troop deployments in urban areas. The judge pointed out the risk of "perpetual police force" creation should the administration's interpretation of the law prevail. As part of the ruling, Breyer criticized the administration's assertion that under certain circumstances, the president can retain control over state National Guard units indefinitely without judicial review, emphasizing that such an interpretation undermines the system of checks and balances fundamental to the Constitution. This sentiment is echoed in comments from legal scholars who have raised alarms over the expansive use of the military domestically by the administration, according to CBS News and NPR.

This ruling is the outcome of a lawsuit initiated by Governor Newsom, who has long criticized Trump's military deployments as unnecessary and an overreach of federal authority. The administration sought to maintain control of approximately 300 troops under federal command to assist with federal immigration enforcement operations amid civil unrest. In light of the court's findings, several legal experts predict ongoing litigation may reach the U.S. Supreme Court as the administration seeks to affirm its authority to deploy the National Guard in similar circumstances across the country. The judicial order has been temporarily stayed pending expected appeals, as anticipated by various officials from both sides of the political spectrum, according to HuffPost and Al Jazeera.