A landmark federal trial began in San Francisco on August 11, 2025, to determine whether former President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles during protests following immigration raids violated federal law, specifically the Posse Comitatus Act. The case, brought by the state of California and Governor Gavin Newsom, challenges the legality of using military forces in a policing role in civilian matters. California’s legal team argued that the deployment was unconstitutional and intended to silence protests, causing anxiety and fear among residents. The Trump administration contended that the president had the authority to deploy troops to support immigration enforcement and maintain order. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer presided over the bench trial, which included testimony from military officials such as Army Deputy Chief of Staff William Harrington. The judge questioned whether the protests qualified as a "rebellion" under U.S. law, a key factor in the administration’s defense. The trial concluded after three days of hearings, with the court weighing whether the deployment violated the near 150-year-old Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of federal military personnel in domestic law enforcement. The outcome of the case could have broader national implications regarding the limits of presidential power in deploying military forces within the United States.