Oh, how the tables turn when the Constitution becomes inconvenient for the very folks who usually treat it like gospel — just not the parts about national security or executive authority, apparently.
On Thursday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put a temporary hold on a lower court’s ruling that would’ve forced President Donald Trump to pull back National Guard troops from California. This came right after a Clinton-appointed federal judge decided he’d had enough of that pesky Commander in Chief clause and declared the Guard deployment illegal.
Let’s get one thing straight: the President of the United States — yes, even if his name is Donald J. Trump — has clear authority under Title 10 to federalize the National Guard under specific conditions. You know, like when there’s widespread unrest and federal assets need protection. But somehow, Judge Charles Breyer decided that protecting immigration agents and federal buildings during protests-turned-riots doesn’t quite meet his bar for “rebellion.” Because in his world, buildings have to actually be in flames and agents under siege before the feds can step in.
Meanwhile, California’s own Governor Gavin Newsom was patting himself on the back in front of the cameras, crowing about how “democracy passed the test” because a judge momentarily sided with him. That’s rich, coming from the guy who thinks “democracy” means suing to block federal troops from doing their job while cities devolve into chaos. Apparently, asking federal troops not to intervene while mobs “protest” immigration enforcement is the new progressive litmus test for freedom. The irony is so thick you could cut it with a recycled bamboo straw.
The legal gymnastics here are stunning. Newsom claims he didn’t mind the Guard being used to protect buildings — just not ICE agents. Because, you know, helping law enforcement do their job is now a political landmine in California. And let’s not ignore the looming presence of the U.S. Marines, quietly training in the wings while the left hyperventilates over every photo of a Guardsman near a federal agent. According to Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, about 500 Guard troops had been trained to assist with immigration operations. Translation: the feds were trying to keep things under control. Imagine that.
Breyer, brandishing a copy of the Constitution like it was a prop at a theater-in-the-park rendition of 1776, lectured from the bench that Trump isn’t a king. No kidding, Judge — though it’s worth mentioning that if any recent administration resembled royalty with decrees and mandates, it sure wasn’t Trump’s. What this comes down to is simple: the President tried to maintain law and order. California’s leadership tried to score political points.
Of course, the White House fired back, calling the judge’s ruling “unprecedented” and warning it puts federal officials in danger — because it does. The federal government doesn’t just exist for tax hikes and climate summits. It’s supposed to enforce laws. And when chaos erupts, yes, the President is supposed to respond — especially when local leaders would rather tweet platitudes than control their streets.
Now the appeals court has at least temporarily restored some sanity by blocking Breyer’s ruling, with a full hearing set for Tuesday. But the fact that this is even in question shows just how far off the rails this conversation has gone. In the eyes of the left, any action Trump takes is by default unconstitutional — even when it’s literally in the Constitution.
And while Trump’s critics clutch their pearls over the word “rebellion,” they conveniently ignore the growing unrest that has since spread to Boston, Chicago, and Seattle. But sure, let’s keep pretending this is all peaceful protest and not a national security concern. Heaven forbid we allow the military to keep things from spiraling.
More of this 🚨
Federal Judge sides with Trump that he can in fact federalize the (CA) National Guard 👍
Still think Trump is playing… think again 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ewqy6uyxmj
— @Chicago1Ray 🇺🇸 (@Chicago1Ray) June 11, 2025
This is less about legality and more about politics. Newsom wants to grandstand. Breyer wants to make history. And Trump? Well, he’s trying to stop Los Angeles from looking like a sequel to Escape from L.A. And if that’s a problem for the courts, maybe the real crisis isn’t on the streets — it’s in the courtroom.
