Fact Check: Appeals court unanimously allows Trump to keep control of National Guard amid protests
What We Know
On June 19, 2025, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that President Donald Trump could maintain control over the California National Guard troops he deployed to Los Angeles amid protests against immigration enforcement actions. This decision temporarily reversed a lower court ruling by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, who had determined that Trump's actions were illegal, exceeding his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution (AP News, NPR).
The appeals court found that the Trump administration had presented sufficient evidence to justify the deployment, citing incidents of violence during protests, including attacks on federal officers and property (Reuters, NBC News). The court emphasized that while the president does not have unlimited power to federalize the National Guard, he does have significant authority to act in response to threats against federal law enforcement (NBC News, Los Angeles Times).
Analysis
The claim that an appeals court "unanimously allows Trump to keep control of National Guard amid protests" is accurate in that the court did rule in favor of Trump's control, but it is important to note that this ruling is temporary and part of an ongoing legal battle. The appeals court's decision was based on the argument that the federal government's interest in maintaining order justified the deployment, despite the lower court's findings that the protests did not constitute a "rebellion" (NPR, NBC News).
The reliability of the sources reporting on this case is generally high, as they include major news organizations with established reputations for journalistic integrity. However, it is essential to consider the potential biases of these outlets. For instance, the framing of the events may differ between conservative and liberal outlets, influencing how the information is presented (AP News, Reuters).
The appeals court's ruling does not resolve the underlying legal questions regarding the president's authority to deploy the National Guard without state consent, which remains a contentious issue. The court's decision reflects a broader legal interpretation that grants the president considerable leeway in matters of national security and law enforcement, even against the backdrop of state opposition (Los Angeles Times, CalMatters).
Conclusion
The claim is Partially True. While the appeals court did unanimously allow Trump to maintain control of the National Guard, this ruling is temporary and part of a larger legal dispute. The court's decision highlights the complexities of federal versus state authority, particularly in situations involving public safety and law enforcement. The ongoing nature of the legal proceedings means that the final outcome remains uncertain.
Sources
- Trump allowed to keep control of National Guard troops ...
- An appeals court backs Trump's control of the California ...
- US court lets Trump keep control of California National ...
- Appeals court says Trump can keep control of California ...
- Appeals court lets Trump keep control National Guard ...
- Trump can command National Guard as California's legal ...
- Appeals court lets Trump keep control National Guard ...
- Trump can keep troops in LA for now, appeals court rules
