SAN FRANCISCO—A lawsuit, filed by Governor Gavin Newson against President Donald J. Trump on June 2025, is now starting its federal bench trial on Monday, August 11, 2025. It was brought on after Trump federalized the California National Guard, sending about 4,000 troops from the National Guard and 700 Marine Corps to Los Angeles.
In June 2025, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, the presiding judge, initially ordered Trump to return the troops to Newsom, saying the National Guard deployment was illegal, violating the 10th Amendment, which defines power between federal and state governments and exceeding Trump’s statutory authority.
However, San Francisco’s 9th Circuit Court of Appeals’ three-judge panel was in favor of Trump’s decision in bringing troops when Los Angeles law enforcement couldn’t contain the immigration raids protests .
The trial began on Monday, August 11, 2025 with San Francisco Judge Breyer, younger brother of retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, presiding over the proceedings.
California wants the return of whatever National Guard soldiers they have left and block the federal government from using the military towards any civilian or federal law enforcement functionality with any federal agent, to paraphrase California’s side.
While Governor Gavin Newsom said that the troops’ deployment was illegal, Trump’s administration legal team said it was justified because it was a way to enforce immigration law and protect federal buildings.
In Washington, D.C., on Monday, August 11, 2025, Trump announced he will activate National Guard to fight crime in the area. In California, Department of Defense issued National Guard’s deployment for another 90 days last week. In Los Angles, weeks earlier, Marines deployed for Washington, D.C. and Trump deployed most of the Southern Californian National Guards.
