In a stunning legal twist, a federal appeals court has ruled that former President Donald Trump can retain control of the National Guard in California, indefinitely blocking Governor Gavin Newsom’s attempt to regain authority. The unanimous decision from a three-judge panel, which included two Trump appointees and one Biden appointee, comes amid escalating tensions in Los Angeles following protests against federal immigration actions.

The ruling stems from Trump’s controversial deployment of the National Guard on June 7, without Newsom’s consent, to safeguard federal property during protests at a downtown detention center. The protests erupted after federal agents arrested numerous immigrants without legal status, leading to claims of mob violence that Trump’s legal team argued justified the deployment. In stark contrast, Newsom contended that the presence of the National Guard exacerbated tensions and that local police had already made over 1,000 arrests to manage the situation.

The implications of this ruling are profound, as it not only underscores the ongoing legal battle over state versus federal authority but also sets the stage for a potential appeal to the Supreme Court. Newsom now faces a critical decision: to appeal this ruling, risking a loss that could establish damaging legal precedents, or to accept the court’s current stance.

The urgency of the situation is palpable, with protests continuing to unfold in Los Angeles, raising questions about the role of the National Guard and the federal government’s response to civil unrest. As the legal drama intensifies, all eyes will be on Newsom and the next steps he will take in this unprecedented clash over control of the National Guard. Stay tuned as this story develops.