A federal judge has declined California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request for an immediate temporary restraining order to restrict President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to quell ongoing anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots in Los Angeles. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, denied the request and set a hearing for Thursday to consider California’s motion for a temporary restraining order. The judge gave the federal government until 11 a.m. PDT Wednesday to submit its arguments and California until 9 a.m. Thursday to respond.
This latest ruling adds to the ongoing legal battle over Trump’s use of the National Guard in the city, with the lawsuit filed by Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta alleging that the deployment is an unconstitutional overreach. Newsom has accused the Trump administration of illegally deploying 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles without consulting California’s leadership, claiming the move is a political power grab. In contrast, Trump and his administration have defended the use of military forces, arguing that ICE operations are targeting dangerous individuals who pose a threat to public safety.
The situation in Los Angeles has escalated sharply, with anti-ICE protests turning into violent riots and looting. Buildings have been damaged, and anti-American slogans have been spray-painted on public spaces. Newsom has blamed Trump’s intervention in the crisis, arguing that the deployment of National Guard and Marines has worsened the unrest. However, Vice President JD Vance has countered that the root of the problem lies with Newsom’s policies, which he claims have encouraged mass immigration and created a