Judge blocks federal troops in California under Posse Comitatus Act

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from using National Guard troops and other military personnel to enforce the law in California, ruling that the federalized deployment to Los Angeles violated a 19th century law that bars the military from domestic law enforcement. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued the injunction in San Francisco after a brief bench trial, finding the administration's actions during protests tied to large immigration enforcement operations exceeded presidential authority.

Breyer wrote that evidence at trial showed the administration "systematically used armed soldiers whose identity was often obscured by protective armor and military vehicles to set up protective perimeters and traffic blockades, engage in crowd control, and otherwise demonstrate a military presence in and around Los Angeles." He concluded, "In short, Defendants violated the Posse Comitatus Act," the 1878 statute that sharply limits the use of federal troops to execute domestic law. The judge also acknowledged there were protests and isolated violence but said there was no rebellion and civilian law enforcement was able to respond.