The Trump admin has been stopped in its tracks. The courts have halted its national security plans.
But Donald Trump’s now been handed a mammoth ruling on his administration from a federal appeals court.
National Guard Control Upheld Amid Border Security Push, Appeals Court Ruling Says
A federal appeals court ruled Thursday night to uphold his authority over the California National Guard, rebuffing a challenge from Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. The decision, handed down by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, reinforces the president’s power to deploy the National Guard in response to civil unrest, a move that has sparked heated debate in California and beyond.
The legal battle began when Judge Charles B. Breyer, a Clinton appointee, ordered Trump to relinquish control of the California National Guard to Newsom. The governor had sued after Trump deployed the Guard to Los Angeles to quell riots triggered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Newsom argued that the president’s actions overstepped federal authority, but the appeals court disagreed, prioritizing presidential prerogative in matters of national security.
The Ninth Circuit’s ruling emphasized deference to the president’s statutory powers. “It is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority,” the court stated, addressing Trump’s decision to federalize the Guard. The panel, consisting of Judges Mark J. Bennett (a Trump appointee), Eric D. Miller (a Trump appointee), and Jennifer Sung (a Biden appointee), further noted that even if procedural errors occurred, they did not justify the district court’s temporary restraining order.
The court also dismissed Newsom’s Tenth Amendment claim, which hinged on the argument that Trump’s actions violated state sovereignty. “Our conclusion that it is likely that the President’s order federalizing members of the California National Guard was authorized under § 12406(3) also resolves the Tenth Amendment claim because the parties agree that the Tenth Amendment claim turns on the statutory claim,” the judges wrote, solidifying the legal foundation for Trump’s authority.
President Trump celebrated the ruling on Truth Social, framing it as a victory for law and order. “The Judges obviously realized that Gavin Newscum is incompetent and ill prepared, but 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,” he wrote. “This is a Great Decision for our Country, and we will continue to protect and defend Law abiding Americans. Congratulations to the Ninth Circuit, America is proud of you tonight!”
The ruling helps Trump’s commitment to leveraging federal resources to maintain public safety, particularly in situations where local authorities struggle to manage unrest. Supporters of the administration argue that the decision affirms the president’s constitutional role as commander-in-chief, ensuring that federal forces can act decisively when states falter.
Governor Newsom, however, vowed to continue his legal fight. Posting on X Thursday night, he declared, “Tonight, 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.” He added, “We will not let this authoritarian use of military soldiers against citizens go unchecked,” signaling an ongoing battle over the balance of power between state and federal governments.
The court’s decision comes at a time when the Trump administration is touting significant progress on border security. On Tuesday, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, announced a historic low in border encounters. “In the last 24 hours the Border Patrol encountered a total of 95 illegal aliens across the entire southern border. That is the lowest number EVER recorded,” Homan stated on X, crediting the administration’s policies for the achievement.
Homan’s remarks highlight the administration’s focus on strengthening border enforcement. “None of the immigrants was released after being apprehended,” he noted, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach. He praised the Trump administration for working toward “the most secure border” in U.S. history, a claim that resonates with the president’s base as a hallmark of his agenda.
The border czar also called for legislative action to cement these gains. “To continue this great work and make it more permanent, we need the Big Beautiful Bill passed so we can finish the job, to include the biggest deportation operation the American people voted for,” Homan wrote. The proposed House spending package, which includes $4 trillion in additional debt, aims to bolster border security with increased ICE manpower.
Homan expressed gratitude to the men and women of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and ICE, calling Trump a “Game Changer” in border policy. The administration’s supporters view these efforts as a fulfillment of campaign promises to prioritize national security and curb illegal immigration.
The spending bill, however, faces hurdles in the Senate, where both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about provisions such as Medicaid work requirements. Despite these challenges, the administration remains focused on pushing the legislation forward, viewing it as critical to sustaining border security gains.
The National Guard ruling and the administration’s border achievements have galvanized Trump’s supporters, who see both as evidence of effective leadership in turbulent times. Critics, however, argue that the president’s actions risk overreach, with more legal battles against the Trump admin sure to come along in the future.
