type: timeline_event
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Trump administration must return control of the California National Guard to the state. President Trump announced that day he would withdraw National Guard troops from Los Angeles, Portland, and Chicago. The federal government backed down after months of litigation challenging the federalization of state troops without governor approval.
Trump had mobilized around 4,000 troops in June 2025 to control crime in California. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled on September 2, 2025, that the administration violated the Posse Comitatus Act. On December 10, 2025, Judge Breyer granted a preliminary injunction sought by California officials. About 300 troops remained under federal control until this December 31 ruling finally ended the unprecedented federalization.