President Donald Trump scored a major legal victory over California Governor Gavin Newsom in federal court.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit refused to rehear Newsom v. Trump en banc, leaving a previous ruling intact.
This decision allows Trump to retain command over California National Guard troops he federalized during the Los Angeles protests earlier this year.
In a short order issued on October 22, the court said that not enough judges supported a rehearing.
Legal analysts say this effectively ends Newsom’s latest attempt to challenge the president’s authority.
The dispute centers on who controls state troops during domestic unrest, the president or the governor.
By declining to intervene, the liberal Ninth Circuit reaffirmed Trump’s authority to take federal control of state troops in times of crisis.
The case stems from violent protests that broke out in Los Angeles on June 6, 2025, following federal immigration raids, per Trending Politics.
ICE agents arrested 44 people and detained up to 80 more after clashes near the Metropolitan Detention Center turned chaotic.
Protesters reportedly threw objects at officers and damaged federal property during the confrontations.
A day after the unrest, Trump invoked 10 U.S.C. § 12406, placing 4,000 California National Guard members into federal service for 60 days.
He said the deployment was “to protect federal personnel performing federal functions, and to protect federal property.”
Newsom claimed the president bypassed him and ignored legal requirements that orders of this type be issued through governors.
The courts rejected Newsom’s argument, siding with Trump and reinforcing the federal government’s authority in these situations.
Experts note that this ruling sets a precedent for future presidents, giving them broader discretion to deploy state-controlled troops during domestic unrest.
This could significantly shift the balance of power between the White House and governors in states that resist federal intervention.
For Trump, the victory is another win in his ongoing clashes with California’s Democratic leadership.
It also serves as a clear message to Newsom that, in times of crisis, the commander-in-chief outranks the governor.
Observers say this legal win strengthens Trump’s position and could influence how future federal-state disputes are handled during unrest.
The ruling highlights Trump’s willingness to assert federal authority to protect personnel and property during chaotic situations.
Some analysts predict that this decision will embolden the president to take more decisive action in states with high levels of civil unrest.
The Ninth Circuit’s refusal to rehear the case signals judicial support for strong presidential action in emergencies.
Newsom’s attempts to block Trump’s command of the National Guard now appear unlikely to succeed in court.
Legal experts emphasize that this case will be cited in future disputes over federal and state authority during domestic crises.
Trump’s team celebrated the decision, calling it a reinforcement of the president’s constitutional powers.
The case also underscores tensions between federal authority and blue-state governors who challenge Trump’s policies.
This victory adds to Trump’s track record of legal wins against left-wing leaders and reinforces his image as a decisive leader during emergencies.
