A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration must return control of the California National Guard to the state after the administration federalized and deployed the troops, delivering a legal victory to Governor Gavin Newsom in an escalating battle between federal and state authority.
The ruling comes as President Trump announced Wednesday his decision to withdraw National Guard forces from Los Angeles, Portland, and Chicago. Governor Newsom, seizing on the court decision, claimed Trump has "admitted defeat" in the standoff.
The appeals court decision has sparked immediate reactions across social media platforms. The Sacramento Bee reported on the ruling, tweeting: "Trump must return control of California Guard to Newsom, appeals court rules."
However, the National Guard controversy represents just one front in the broader conflict between the Trump administration and California's liberal leadership. The state faces mounting pressure over its defiance of federal immigration policies, particularly regarding commercial driver's licenses.
Social media users are highlighting California's continued resistance to federal mandates. One prominent post noted: "Gavin Newsom delays revoking 17K improperly issued CDLs to immigrants until March—defying federal rules. Miss the deadline and California forfeits $160M in federal funds. Should Trump cut off all funding to CA?"
The CDL issue has drawn sharp criticism from Trump administration officials, with reports that "Trump chief blasts Newsom for 'lying' — says California must yank illegal trucker licenses without delay."
"This pattern of California's defiance of federal law and court orders represents a direct challenge to the rule of law and federal supremacy," according to administration sources.
The appeals court ruling on the National Guard may embolden Newsom to continue his resistance strategy, but it also raises questions about the administration's next steps in compelling California's compliance with federal immigration enforcement and other policies.
With $160 million in federal funding at stake over the CDL issue alone, the administration retains significant leverage over California's continued defiance of federal mandates.