Fact Check: Trump's Control of California National Guard Temporarily Upheld by Appeals Court
What We Know
A recent ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily upheld President Trump's control over the California National Guard. This decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who argued that Trump's deployment of the National Guard was illegal and violated the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which delineates the powers of state and federal governments (NPR, AP News).
The appeals court's ruling blocks a previous order from U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, who had stated that Trump's actions exceeded his statutory authority and were unlawful. Breyer's ruling indicated that the protests in Los Angeles, which prompted the deployment, did not constitute a rebellion against federal authority (NBC News, Reuters). However, the appeals court found that the president has the authority to deploy the National Guard to prevent interference with federal law enforcement, setting aside the question of whether the protests amounted to rebellion (NBC News).
Analysis
The appeals court's decision reflects a legal interpretation that grants the president significant leeway in deploying National Guard troops under certain circumstances. The court emphasized that it would be "highly deferential" to the president's judgment in matters of national security and law enforcement (AP News). This ruling is particularly notable as it marks a rare instance where a president has federalized a state's National Guard over the objections of its governor, a situation not seen since President Lyndon Johnson in 1965 (NPR).
The reliability of the sources reporting on this ruling is generally high. Major news outlets like NPR, AP News, and NBC News have established track records for factual reporting, and their coverage includes direct quotes from court documents and statements from involved parties, such as Governor Newsom and the Trump administration (NPR, AP News, NBC News). However, it is essential to note that the political context surrounding this issue may introduce bias, particularly in how different outlets frame the implications of the ruling.
Governor Newsom's response to the ruling highlights the ongoing tension between state and federal authority, as he stated, "The President is not a king and is not above the law" (NPR). This reflects a broader debate about the limits of presidential power, especially in the context of deploying military forces domestically.
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump's control of California National Guard is temporarily upheld by appeals court" is True. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has indeed ruled in favor of Trump, allowing him to maintain control over the California National Guard despite Governor Newsom's legal challenges. The court's ruling underscores the complexities of federalism in the United States and the significant powers granted to the president in matters of national security.
Sources
- US court lets Trump keep control of California National Guard
- An appeals court backs Trump's control of the California National Guard
- Appeals court temporarily blocks judge's ruling to return control of National Guard to California
- Appeals court says Trump can keep control of California National Guard
- Appeals court extends order allowing Trump to deploy National Guard in California
