California National Guard and U.S. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division stand guard outside the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, June 13, 2025. Image: Stephen Lam San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images.
(The Post News) – After a short trial conducted last month, United States President Donald Trump’s decision to send military troops to Los Angeles in June 2025 has been declared illegal by a federal judge. This ruling bars the Pentagon from using troops for unauthorized domestic law enforcement activities.
In the four-day trial, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer heard testimony from Pentagon officials who oversaw the operation and concluded that Trump’s deployment violated the Posse Comitatus Act—”a longstanding law meant to prevent domestic law enforcement by the military.” This means the military cannot engage in arrests, crowd control, or other routine law enforcement duties without explicit congressional approval.
Trump Sent About 300 Troops to LA
Without a formal request from California, Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth sent around 300 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in early June, citing the need to “protect federal personnel and property” amid widespread immigration protests. Under a separate legal authority, he deployed 800 troops in Washington and plans to deploy troops in Chicago as well, citing the need to curb high crime rates.
Judge Breyer noticed a pattern and observed that Trump appears intent on “creating a national police force with the President as its chief.” The 52-page decision prohibits the Pentagon from employing the National Guard or any military personnel in California for police duties without Congress’s consent.
The judge temporarily paused the ruling until September 12, allowing the administration to lodge an appeal.
Please share your thoughts, contact Lukhona via email: journalist-lukhona@thepostnews.net
About the Author
