News
Trump Can Retain Control Of National Guard In LA, Appeals Court Rules
Topline
A federal appeals court on Thursday night ruled that the California National Guard troops—deployed in Los Angeles last week amid protests against the federal government’s crackdown on immigrants—can remain under President Donald Trump’s control while the state’s legal challenge against the deployment moves forward.
California National Guard members guard the Santa Ana Federal Building in Santa Ana.
Key Facts
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that on matters such as federalizing the California National Guard, any decision must be “highly deferential” towards the president, and the court concluded that “it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority.”
However, the ruling disagreed with the White House’s primary argument that such a matter “is completely insulated from judicial review.”
The appellate court ruling blocks an already paused ruling issued by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer that ordered the president to “return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith.”
The ruling only focused on the issue of presidential authority and did not address the claim made in Trump’s order that the protests amounted to a “form of rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.”
How Have California Officials Reacted To The Ruling?
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement saying, “While it is disappointing that our temporary restraining order has been stayed pending the federal government’s appeal, this case is far from over…our state and local law enforcement officers responded effectively to isolated episodes of violence at otherwise peaceful protests and the President deliberately sought to create the very chaos and crises he claimed to be addressing.” Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X: “The court rightly rejected Trump’s claim that he can do whatever he wants with the National Guard and not have to explain himself to a court. The President is not a king and is not above the law. We will press forward with our challenge to President Trump’s authoritarian use of U.S. military soldiers against citizens.”
How Did Trump React To The Ruling?
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the president hailed the ruling as a “BIG WIN,” and attacked the California Governor, saying: “The Judges obviously realized that Gavin Newscum is incompetent and ill prepared.” Trump then signaled he could deploy forces to tackle protests in other states, saying: “this is much bigger than Gavin, because all over the United States, if our Cities, and our people, need protection, we are the ones to give it to them should State and Local Police be unable, for whatever reason, to get the job done.”
Crucial Quote
The appeals court ruling noted that precedent from earlier rulings cited by the Trump administration, “does not compel us to accept the federal government’s position that the President could federalize the National Guard based on no evidence whatsoever, and that courts would be unable to review a decision that was obviously absurd or made in bad faith.”
Further Reading
Trump Keeps Control Of National Guard In Los Angeles After Appeals Court Pauses Ruling (Forbes)
new video loaded: Trump Mocks Obama, Biden in His Presidential ‘Walk of Fame’
By Chris Cameron and Jackeline Luna
December 18, 2025
Videos show rebels on the move in eastern DRC city Uvirapublished at 12:49 GMT
Peter Mwai
BBC Verify senior journalist
We have verified video showing fighters belonging to the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group on the move in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after M23 announced a withdrawal from the city of Uvira in South Kivu province which it seized a week ago.
The M23 had taken contorl of Uvira despite a ceasefire deal agreed between the governments of Rwanda and DRC and had come under increasing diplomatic pressure to withdraw its forces from the city.
The DRC government has reacted with scepticism, with a spokesperson asking on XL “Where are they going? How many were there? What are they leaving behind in the city? Mass graves? Soldiers disguised as civilians?”
We can’t tell where they are heading, but in the footage we have verified the fighters, together with vehicles, move north past the Uvira police headquarters.
We confirmed where the clips were filmed by matching the distinctively painted road kerbs, buildings and trees to satellite imagery.
The leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a coalition of rebel groups which includes the M23 group, had announced on Monday that the group would withdraw from the city as a “trust-building measure”.
It followed a request from the US which has been mediating between the governments of Rwanda and DRC.
The rebels remained present in the city after the announcement but on Wednesday M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma announced the group had begun withdrawing troops. The group said it intends to complete the withdrawal today, but has warned against militarisation.
Red Sox’s Veteran Leader Gets Alarming Projection For Upcoming Season
Nikola Jokic passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most assists by center in NBA history as Nuggets beat Magic
Seattle brings losing streak into game against San Jose
San Diego Unified School Board member’s dog poisoned in Sorrento Valley backyard
A federal jury finds Milwaukee judge guilty of obstructing immigration agents
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Video: Trump Mocks Obama, Biden in His Presidential ‘Walk of Fame’
Trump quietly signs sweeping $901B defense bill after bipartisan Senate passage
Mercosur signature delayed to January after Meloni asks for more time
Is ISIS making a comeback? : Sources & Methods
Texas Republicans launch ‘Sharia Free America Caucus’ aimed at defending ‘Western civilization’
-
Iowa4 days agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Washington1 week agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa6 days agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
Maine3 days agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Maryland4 days agoFrigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
-
Technology1 week agoThe Game Awards are losing their luster
-
South Dakota5 days agoNature: Snow in South Dakota
-
Nebraska1 week agoNebraska lands commitment from DL Jayden Travers adding to early Top 5 recruiting class