President Donald Trump has scored a major legal win as the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in his favor, upholding his authority over California National Guard troops deployed during violent anti-ICE riots. The unanimous decision delivers a sharp blow to Governor Gavin Newsom and reaffirms Trump’s use of military force to restore order.
Trump’s Legal Victory Over Newsom
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has delivered a significant legal victory to President Donald Trump in his dispute with California Governor Gavin Newsom over control of the National Guard. This ruling overturned a decision by U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer, a Clinton appointee, who had previously granted Newsom’s request to regain control of California National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles during anti-ICE protests.
The three-judge panel unanimously determined that Trump likely acted within his statutory authority when he federalized the National Guard under Section 12406(3) of federal law. This provision allows such action when the president determines that regular forces are insufficient to execute United States laws, particularly when facing interference with federal officers during civil unrest.
President Trump is going to clean up Gavin Newsom‘s lawless California whether Gavin Newsom likes it or not https://t.co/z6GiNl0j1Y pic.twitter.com/DB482kcISh
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) June 19, 2025
Constitutional Authority and Precedent
The court’s ruling establishes a significant precedent as it marks the first time since 1965 that a president has federalized National Guard troops without a governor’s permission. In their decision, the judges explicitly rejected Newsom’s argument that the president’s action was beyond judicial review, instead finding that while presidents deserve substantial deference in these matters, courts maintain oversight of constitutional boundaries.
Evidence of violence and interference with federal officers during the Los Angeles riots served as justification for Trump’s actions, according to the court. The judges determined that despite Newsom’s concerns that the National Guard’s presence was inflammatory, such concerns were speculative and insufficient to override presidential authority in matters of federal law enforcement.
🚨 JUST IN: JD Vance is headed to Los Angeles today to visit the Marines deployed by Trump
This comes just HOURS after a federal appeals court unanimously blocked Gavin Newsom from taking the National Guard from Trump
Whiny post from @GavinNewsom incoming 🤣 pic.twitter.com/3H0vaJ7WQy
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 20, 2025
Political Reactions and Implications
President Trump celebrated the ruling on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling it a “BIG WIN” that affirms presidential authority to deploy the National Guard when necessary. “The Judges obviously realized that Gavin Newscum is incompetent and ill prepared, but this is much bigger than Gavin,” Trump wrote, emphasizing that the federal government’s role includes providing protection when state and local forces are unable to maintain order.
Governor Newsom expressed disappointment with the ruling while vowing to continue challenging Trump’s actions. “I’m confident in the rule of law. I’m confident in the Constitution of the United States,” Newsom stated, suggesting this legal battle may continue to higher courts, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.
The case highlights the ongoing tension between state and federal authority, particularly in matters of law enforcement and immigration policy. While the court acknowledged that Trump failed to notify the governor as required by law before federalizing the troops, they emphasized that Newsom ultimately had no authority to veto the president’s order once issued.