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.

 

Rebecca Gayheart Dane on caring for her late husband, Eric Dane, and synthetic voices

The wife of 'Grey's Anatomy' actor Eric Dane says caring for him gave her an "extra dose" of compassion for others.

Chile turns right: Kast inaugurated as nation’s most conservative leader since Pinochet

Chile has sworn in its most right-wing president in decades — and his rise, and ideology, are rooted in a small town beneath the Andes.

Iran’s soccer team cannot participate in the FIFA World Cup, Iranian minister says

Iran is set to play three games in the U.S. this June. But amid the U.S.-Israel military campaign that has killed Iran's supreme leader, Iran's sports minister said the team would pull out.

Pentagon probe points to U.S. missile hitting Iranian school

A military assessment suggests a U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile was responsible for at least 165 deaths at an Iranian girls' school, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Harrison Ford isn’t retiring: ‘I really wouldn’t know what to do with myself’

Ford struggled to find his footing in Hollywood before being cast as Han Solo in Star Wars. Now 83, he plays a therapist in the Apple TV series Shrinking: "I really do love the work," he says.

No Nobles Day: Britain’s Parliament boots its last hereditary Lords after 700 years

Government minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the change put an end to "an archaic and undemocratic principle." The removed aristocrats are 92 of the House of Lords' 800 members.

More Front Page Coverage