Judge Rules Trump Administration’s Use of Troops in Los Angeles Was Illegal

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration violated federal law by deploying the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles earlier this summer.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer found that President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth broke a 19th-century law that prohibits using military forces for domestic law enforcement. The ruling comes after a trial revealed that troops were sent to Los Angeles to assist in arrests, searches, and the execution of warrants during a large-scale immigration crackdown.

In June, thousands of federalized California National Guard members and U.S. Marines were deployed to Los Angeles, where protests erupted downtown. Demonstrations stretched on for days, with some turning violent as protesters clashed with police.

Judge Breyer’s decision applies specifically to California but lands at a time when Chicago is preparing for a major federal immigration enforcement operation. Federal officials have already informed Illinois state police that ICE operations are set to begin later this week.

Trump has repeatedly vowed to send National Guard troops to Chicago as part of his broader push to combat crime and immigration violations. “We’re going in. I didn’t say when we’re going in. When you lose, look, I have an obligation. This isn’t a political thing. I have an obligation,” the president said.

Over the weekend, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order directing city officials to resist Trump’s immigration policies and prevent local police from cooperating with federal enforcement.

The ruling underscores growing legal battles over the Trump administration’s reliance on military forces in domestic operations.

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