Judge Orders Trump to Return California Guard to Governor

A U.S. federal judge has ordered former President Donald Trump's administration to return control of the California National Guard to the state's governor. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued the ruling. He criticized the Trump administration's position in the case. "The Founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances," Judge Breyer wrote. "Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one." The dispute began in 2019. The Trump administration required states to use National Guard troops for immigration enforcement to receive federal funding. California refused. The state's governor then pulled about 400 troops from the border mission. In response, the Trump administration revoked the soldiers' federal funding and status. This move placed the troops under federal control, removing the governor's authority over them. California sued, arguing this violated state sovereignty. Judge Breyer's order forces the federal government to restore the soldiers' state-level status and funding. The ruling re-establishes the governor's command over the California National Guard.