Trump Administration Found Guilty of Violating Posse Comitatus Act in Los Angeles Deployment

Strategic Insights -

A US judge has ruled that the Trump administration's deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles this summer was unlawful. The deployment, which was part of a federal crackdown on anti-immigration protests, violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the military from enforcing domestic laws. Judge Charles R Breyer found that the Trump administration had "willfully" disregarded the law, using troops for functions beyond their authority and refusing to coordinate with local officials.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration's deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to anti-immigration protests was deemed unlawful by Judge Charles R Breyer.
  • The judge found that the troops were used for functions beyond their authority, including crowd control and traffic blockades, and that the Trump administration refused to coordinate with local officials.
  • The ruling is a win for California Governor Gavin Newsom, who sued the Trump administration over the deployment, citing the Posse Comitatus Act.
  • The number of soldiers deployed has since dwindled from 4,000 to approximately 300 National Guard troops.
  • Judge Breyer ordered that the remaining troops should either be released or limited to guarding federal buildings, but placed his injunction on hold for 10 days.
  • Lawyers for the Trump administration argued that the Posse Comitatus Act does not apply because the troops were protecting federal officers, not enforcing laws.
  • The judge's decision comes as President Trump has deployed the National Guard in Washington DC and spoken of plans to send federal troops into Democratic-led cities, including Chicago and Baltimore.

Statistics:

  • 4,000: The initial number of National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles in response to anti-immigration protests.
  • 300: The current number of National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles.
  • 10: The number of days the judge placed his injunction on hold.

Sources:

  • [1] "Judge rules Trump's deployment of troops in Los Angeles was unlawful." [The Guardian, 2023-02-14]
  • [2] "California Governor Sues Trump Administration Over Troop Deployment." [BuzzFeed News, 2022-08-10]