In a stunning display of federal muscle, President Donald Trump has secured a major legal victory against California Governor Gavin Newsom over who controls the National Guard in times of crisis.
Fox News reported that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, affirmed Trump's right to maintain command of National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles, overturning a lower court ruling that would have handed control back to Newsom.
This clash began on June 8, 2025, when National Guard troops rolled into downtown Los Angeles following a heated protest over an immigration raid the night before.
Just days later, these troops aided the FBI in apprehending Alejandro Orellana, a suspect accused of supplying masks to rioters in what authorities described as a coordinated act.
Governor Newsom, clearly displeased with the federal overreach, filed a lawsuit against Trump, arguing that the President’s move to federalize the California National Guard overstepped state authority.
Newsom’s frustration is understandable—who wouldn’t bristle at losing control of their own state’s forces?—but the court’s ruling suggests the law leans heavily in favor of presidential power during national unrest.
The Ninth Circuit’s filing pointed out that Trump’s decision likely falls within his legal rights under a specific statute, § 12406(3), which permits federalization of the Guard when regular forces can’t enforce U.S. laws.
“Affording the President that deference, we conclude that it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority,” the court stated, making it clear that Trump’s actions weren’t just a power grab but a move grounded in legal precedent.
Now, let’s unpack that—while the court acknowledges Newsom’s grievance over not being notified beforehand as required by law, it also firmly noted that the governor holds no veto power over such presidential orders, a humbling reminder of federal supremacy in emergencies.
Trump, never one to shy away from a victory lap, took to Truth Social on Thursday night, June 19, 2025, with a post that was equal parts triumphant and pointed.
“BIG WIN in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on the President’s core power to call in the National Guard!” Trump declared, before taking a swipe at Newsom’s leadership and framing the decision as a win for law-abiding Americans everywhere.
While Trump’s jab at Newsom as “incompetent” might sting, there’s a broader point here: his argument that federal intervention is sometimes necessary when local forces falter resonates with those worried about urban chaos spiraling out of control.
Adding to the gravity of this decision, the court’s ruling marks the first time since 1965 that a president has deployed a state’s National Guard without the governor’s consent, highlighting just how rare—and contentious—such a move is.
Newsom’s legal team argued that Trump’s federalization order should be subject to judicial scrutiny, a point the court acknowledged but ultimately dismissed in favor of presidential discretion under the circumstances.
For conservatives wary of progressive overreach in state governance, this ruling feels like a long-overdue check on governors who might prioritize political posturing over public safety, though it’s worth noting that state leaders deserve a fair say in how their resources are used.