Judge declines Newsom’s immediate request to block troops from LA riots

A federal judge has denied California Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for an immediate temporary restraining order to limit President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines in response to ongoing anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots in Los Angeles. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, made this decision on Tuesday night, setting a hearing to consider California’s motion for a temporary restraining order on Thursday.

The lawsuit, filed by Governor Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, challenges Trump’s federalization of 4,000 National Guard troops and deployment of 700 Marines to Los Angeles. The judge has requested arguments from the federal government by Wednesday morning and a response from California by Thursday morning.

Newsom and Trump have been engaged in a public exchange of words, with Newsom accusing the president of taking control of California’s National Guard members without consultation. Trump, on the other hand, stated that the ICE operations aim to remove criminal illegal immigrants from the streets.

The demonstrations against the ICE raids in Los Angeles have turned violent, with rioting, looting, and anti-American graffiti becoming prevalent. Newsom has sought an emergency court order to prevent the military from engaging in law enforcement activities in the city.

Vice President JD Vance pushed back against Newsom’s claims, stating that it was the governor’s policies that led to the escalation of violence in Los Angeles. Vance criticized Newsom for extending Medicaid to all illegal immigrants in 2024, at the expense of impoverished and disabled Californians.

The vice president pointed out that it was Newsom’s policies that encouraged mass migration into California, and blamed the governor and the mayor of Los Angeles for the current situation. Vance emphasized that the blame should not be placed solely on President Trump, as Newsom needs to take responsibility for the state’s issues.

In conclusion, the ongoing legal battle between California and the federal government continues, as both sides present their arguments in court. The situation in Los Angeles remains tense, with both political leaders and law enforcement agencies at odds over the best course of action.