In a stunning legal blow to California Governor Gavin Newsom, the Supreme Court of the United States has upheld President Trump’s authority to federalize the National Guard in response to ongoing unrest in the state. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted Trump’s emergency motion for a stay pending appeal, effectively sidelining Newsom’s attempts to assert control over the situation.

This decision comes amid escalating tensions in California, where protests against federal enforcement actions have turned violent, with demonstrators confronting federal agents and vandalizing property. The court ruled that Trump’s invocation of federal authority was lawful under the U.S. Code, which empowers the president to call in the National Guard when regular forces are unable to enforce the laws of the United States.

The legal battle has seen Newsom claiming imminent harm from the federalization of the National Guard, arguing it destabilizes the community. However, the court rejected this argument, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining law and order in the face of what it described as a rebellion against federal authority.

Judge Brier, who previously ruled in favor of Newsom, found himself overruled as the Ninth Circuit deemed his decision “terrible” and lacking in legal grounding. The implications of this ruling extend beyond California, potentially setting a precedent for how federal and state authorities interact during civil unrest.

As the National Guard prepares to deploy, the situation remains tense, with the potential for further confrontations looming. Newsom, facing mounting political pressure, is expected to respond, but for now, the federal government has reasserted its control in a dramatic legal showdown that underscores the ongoing battle over immigration enforcement and state rights.