More troops deployed to LA as court weighs Trump’s authority
As a federal appeals court considers whether President Donald Trump overstepped his authority by deploying the California National Guard, the White House states that 2,000 additional troops are on their way to Los Angeles.
U.S. Northern Command clarified on Tuesday, June 17, that the newly announced troops are part of the same Trump-activated forces from last week, not an additional deployment. The total presence in L.A. now includes 4,100 National Guard members and 700 Marines.
The Pentagon states that the troops will protect federal property and personnel, rather than engage in law enforcement.
While the protests in L.A. continue, they have become more peaceful. The city’s mayor has even ended the curfew put in place.
Was Trump’s order legal?
On the legal front, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Tuesday regarding California’s lawsuit challenging Trump’s order to take control of the state’s National Guard without Gov. Gavin Newsom’s consent. The judges did not issue a ruling on Tuesday or provide any indication of when they would decide.
A lower court judge who previously ordered Trump to return control to California has a follow-up hearing scheduled for Friday, June 20. That order is on pause for now, but could be extended.
Unprecedented presidential move
This marks the first time since 1965 that a president has federalized a state guard without a governor’s approval.
Legal experts say the outcome could set a powerful precedent for presidential authority to deploy troops in American cities.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
