US court halts Trump's deployment of National Guard in California

On Tuesday, a US federal judge blocked the Trump administration's deployment of the National Guard in California. The ruling was handed down by Judge Charles Breyer of the US District Court in San Francisco.

The decision has been temporarily suspended until September 12 – an appeal by the Trump administration is considered likely.

In June, Trump sent around 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles – officially to assist in operations against immigration protests. However, critics accused him of using the military to intimidate political opponents.

The administration of California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit, citing the Posse Comitatus Act, which severely restricts the use of soldiers within the country. According to Breyer, the Trump administration violated this law.

The troops had taken on police duties, established security zones, and arrested individuals.
The Justice Department, on the other hand, argued that the president was allowed to use the military to protect federal agencies.

Breyer, however, expressed concern that there were hardly any clear limits on such deployments.
The case could send a signal for future military actions within the country.

(reuters, sie)