A federal judge has prohibited the Trump administration from using National Guard and military troops in California to carry out law enforcement duties, citing a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that the administration “willfully” breached the law by deploying National Guard units and Marines to manage protests related to immigration policies.

California initiated legal action following the deployment of troops to address unrest over federal immigration enforcement. The court’s order, effective in 10 days, specifically restricts the use of military forces for law enforcement tasks within the state. Judge Breyer emphasized that while the administration is not required to remove the 300 National Guard personnel stationed in Los Angeles, they cannot employ troops in ways inconsistent with the Posse Comitatus Act, such as conducting arrests or crowd control.

The ruling coincides with President Trump’s consideration of deploying National Guard units to other cities, including Chicago and Oakland, to address perceived crime surges. Earlier this month, Trump placed Washington, D.C.’s police under federal authority and deployed troops there amid claims of escalating violence. The administration has signaled plans to appeal the decision, with a White House spokesperson condemning the court’s action as an overreach of judicial power.

Judge Breyer’s order highlighted that the Trump administration’s use of military assets included actions outside their authorized scope, such as establishing protective perimeters and traffic blockades in Los Angeles. The judge noted that troops were often disguised in armor, raising concerns about their role in domestic law enforcement. The case has drawn scrutiny over the potential precedent it may set for future National Guard deployments in Democratic-led cities.