Federal Judge Rules Trump and Hegseth Violated Law By Using Military for Domestic Law Enforcement

A federal judge, Charles Breyer, ruled that President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated the Posse Comitatus Act by using the US military to help carry out law enforcement activities in and around Los Angeles this summer. The ruling comes as the president is weighing whether to send National Guard members to other cities, including ones in California and Illinois.

The evidence presented in court established that Trump and Hegseth systematically used armed soldiers and military vehicles to set up protective perimeters and traffic blockades, engage in crowd control, and demonstrate a military presence in and around Los Angeles. The judge concluded that this use of the military for domestic law enforcement purposes was a serious violation of the 19th Century law that generally prohibits the use of troops for such purposes.

Breyer blocked Trump and Hegseth from using troops in California for law enforcement activities, pending an appeal. However, the ruling is limited to California and does not necessarily bind other judges who may preside over similar cases. Nevertheless, it is likely to serve as a precedent for future cases and a warning shot to Trump and Hegseth ahead of any similar deployments around the country.

Key Takeaways:

• A federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated the Posse Comitatus Act by using the US military for domestic law enforcement activities in and around Los Angeles.
• The evidence presented in court showed that Trump and Hegseth systematically used armed soldiers and military vehicles to set up protective perimeters and traffic blockades, engage in crowd control, and demonstrate a military presence in Los Angeles.
• The judge concluded that this use of the military for domestic law enforcement purposes was a serious violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of troops for such purposes.
• Trump's decision to send armed troops to the streets of Los Angeles was one of his more controversial moves this year, with 59% of Americans opposing the use of National Guard troops in response to immigration protests, according to a July CNN poll conducted by SSRS.
• The ruling is limited to California and does not necessarily bind other judges who may preside over similar cases, but it is likely to serve as a precedent for future cases.
• Trump's use of the National Guard in Los Angeles was the first such deployment in a US city, with some 2,000 federalized troops reportedly involved in the operation.
• California Governor Gavin Newsom sued Trump and Hegseth in June over the deployment of National Guard troops in the state, citing the Posse Comitatus Act.

Statistics:

• 59% of Americans opposed Trump's use of National Guard troops in response to immigration protests, according to a July CNN poll conducted by SSRS.
• 41% of Americans supported Trump's use of National Guard troops in response to immigration protests, according to the same poll.
• 85% of Republicans favored Trump's use of National Guard troops, while 94% of Democrats and 66% of independents opposed it.
• Some 2,000 federalized troops were reportedly involved in the operation in Los Angeles.
• The number of federalized guard members still in LA has dwindled to just several hundred in recent weeks.

Sources:

• CNN
• SSRS (polling firm)
• California Governor's office
• US District Judge Charles Breyer's ruling (dated Tuesday)