Donald Trump celebrates legal win over deploying National Guard

President Donald Trump hailed a “BIG WIN” in a federal appeals court that said he did have the power to deploy California’s National Guard over Gov. Gavin Newsom‘s head to quell the recent riots and disorder in Los Angeles.

The decision in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals halts a ruling from a lower court judge who found Trump acted illegally when he activated the soldiers over opposition from Newsom.

“BIG WIN in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on the President’s core power to call in the National Guard!” Trump posted to his Truth Social platform after the ruling.

“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.

“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 deployment was the first by a president of a state National Guard without the governor’s permission since 1965.

In its decision, a three-judge panel unanimously concluded it was likely Trump lawfully exercised his authority in federalizing control of the guard.

It said that while presidents don’t have unfettered power to seize control of a state’s guard, the Trump administration had presented enough evidence to show it had a defensible rationale for doing so, citing violent acts by protesters.

This is a developing article. Updates to follow.

This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.