A California judge rules that Trump’s deployment of the guard to LA was illegal
A California federal judge has ruled for the second time that President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles violated the law, stating it performed law enforcement duties that are prohibited for the military. But District Judge Charles R. Breyer delayed the implementation of his ruling until Sept. 12, in which time the Trump administration could appeal.
The judge took evidence in a trial last month about the actions of the guard stationed in L.A. in a unit called Task Force 51. Attorneys for the state argued with administration attorneys over whether the troops exceeded restrictions on the longstanding ban against U.S. military carrying out law enforcement on civilians.
“The record is replete with evidence that Task Force 51 executed domestic law in these prohibited ways,” Breyer wrote in a 52-page ruling. He said the troops had set up traffic blockades to aid federal agents they were mixed with. “Bystanders at multiple locations and even federal officials at trial were unable to distinguish Task Force 51 troops from federal law enforcement agents.”
He cited as another example when Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered guard troops to patrol MacArthur Park as a show of force for the federal presence.
Breyer ruled in June that the guard deployment was illegal on other grounds but was immediately overturned by an appeals court panel of judges that allowed Trump to maintain control of the troops.
Trump had said he sent the troops in to stop a rebellion and to prevent protesters from blocking immigration agents. California officials contended there was no rebellion and police could have handled the situation on their own.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
EU leaders agree on $105bn Ukraine loan, but without relying on frozen Russian assets
European Union leaders have agreed to provide a massive interest-free loan to Ukraine to meet its military and economic needs for the next two years. The loan will not rely on frozen Russian assets.
A federal jury finds Milwaukee judge guilty of obstructing immigration agents
A jury returns a guilty/not guilty verdict in the case of Hannah Dugan. The Milwaukee judge was accused of allowing an undocumented immigrant defender to evade immigration agents
Suspect in Brown University shooting found dead in New Hampshire
The suspect in the shooting at Brown University Saturday was discovered dead Thursday at a storage facility in New Hampshire.
TikTok signs deal to give U.S. operations to Oracle-led investor group
The agreement aims to resolve a yearslong standoff between the popular social media platform and the U.S. government over national security concerns tied to China's parent company, ByteDance.
A family reunion to commemorate the Montgomery Bus Boycott
This month marked the 70th anniversary of the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott. The demonstration was catalyzed when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus. The boycott lasted over a year and is considered a spark of the Civil Rights Movement.
President Trump to add his own name to the Kennedy Center
The arts institution will be called the Trump-Kennedy Center. The president's press secretary said it comes after a unanimous vote by the center's board, which Trump took over earlier this year.
