In a dramatic and politically charged ruling, issued minutes ago (yes, as Israel is striking Iran) U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer has issued an emergency injunction blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to deploy National Guard forces without state approval — a move the court deemed illegal and violated the Constitution.
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The decision came during a fast-moving emergency hearing in Newsom v. Trump, a case filed by California Governor Gavin Newsom after President Donald Trump issued an order to federalize National Guard units in response to what he described as a “rebellion” on the West Coast.
Judge Breyer, known for his careful jurisprudence and long federal bench tenure, was blunt in court: “These are weighty constitutional questions. I intend to act as quickly as the urgency of the matter requires.” Just hours later, he issued the injunction, temporarily halting any enforcement of Trump’s order and preventing the deployment of National Guard personnel under that directive.
Judicial Skepticism of Executive Overreach
Throughout the hearing, Judge Breyer sharply questioned the Department of Justice’s argument that Trump’s declaration of a rebellion was beyond judicial review and that the president need not follow statutory procedures requiring that such orders go “through the governor” of the state involved.
“I’m trying to figure out how something is ‘through’ somebody if in fact you didn’t give it to him,” Breyer said, openly skeptical of the administration’s claim that the governor merely serves as a passive “conduit” for federal military authority.
In one of the most pointed exchanges, Breyer warned against unreviewable presidential powers:
“That’s the difference between a constitutional government and King George. It’s not that a leader can simply say something and it becomes it.”
He continued:
“How is that different than what a monarchist does? He says certain things, he finds certain things, he does certain things. That’s not where we live… the Constitution is a document of limitations.”
What the Injunction Means
The injunction is temporary but has immediate consequences: all efforts to deploy National Guard troops under Trump’s order must cease while the court fully considers the legal challenge.
Legal experts say the case could quickly escalate to higher courts and may ultimately land before the Supreme Court, raising urgent questions about the boundaries of federal power in domestic military affairs.
For now, Judge Charles Breyer’s ruling stands as a sharp judicial check on a president’s controversial invocation of emergency military authority.
This story is developing. Read the full ruling here.
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