HE TURNS OUT AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR, AND THIS JUST INTO OUR NEWSROOM, GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S OFFICE SAYS THE WHITE HOUSE IS THROWING IN THE TOWEL IN THE LEGAL BATTLE OVER CONTROL OF THE CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD. WE’RE STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE WHITE HOUSE ON THIS GOVERNOR’S OFFICE SAYS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FILED A DOCUMENT SAYING THEY, QUOTE, DO NOT OPPOSE LIFTING OF THE PARTIAL ADMINISTRATIVE STAY AND HEREBY RESPECTFULLY WITHDRAW THEIR MOTION FOR A STAY PENDING APPEAL. NOW, ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, THAT MEANS AS SOON AS THE NINTH CIRCUIT ACTS, THE GUARD RETURNS TO THE CONTROL OF GOVERNOR NEWSOM UNDER A RULING FROM THE SUPREME COURT, YOU’LL RECALL MORE THAN 4000 CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS WERE INITIALLY CALLED UP TO LA. THOSE TROOPS WERE REMOVED FROM LA EARLIER THIS MONTH, BUT THE CASE OVER CONTROL OF THE TROOPS HAS CONTINUED. SO F
DOJ withdraws motion, paving way for control of California National Guard to return to Gov. Newsom
Updated: 10:33 PM PST Dec 30, 2025
A new move by the Department of Justice signals the end of the battle between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration over the control of the California National Guard. The clash over the control of the California National Guard began in June, when President Donald Trump first deployed thousands of members of the National Guard to Los Angeles after two days of clashes over immigration raids. Gov. Newsom called the move “purposefully inflammatory,” and California took legal action just days later, sparking the still ongoing legal battle. Following months of legal battle, a judge ruled earlier this month that the Trump administration must return control of the California National Guard to the state. However, a stay requested by the DOJ allowed the administration to retain control of the troops. Part of that request was not granted, and the troops were pulled from Los Angeles. On Tuesday, the DOJ submitted a supplemental brief stating it does “not oppose lifting of the partial administrative stay and hereby respectfully withdraw their motion for a stay pending appeal.” Read the full brief here. Gov. Newsom’s office explained that this filing means that as soon as the Ninth Circuit acts, the judge’s order directing control of the state’s National Guard would return to the governor.The governor’s office said the Ninth Circuit could act as soon as Wednesday. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
A new move by the Department of Justice signals the end of the battle between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration over the control of the California National Guard.
The clash over the control of the California National Guard began in June, when President Donald Trump first deployed thousands of members of the National Guard to Los Angeles after two days of clashes over immigration raids. Gov. Newsom called the move “purposefully inflammatory,” and California took legal action just days later, sparking the still ongoing legal battle.
Following months of legal battle, a judge ruled earlier this month that the Trump administration must return control of the California National Guard to the state. However, a stay requested by the DOJ allowed the administration to retain control of the troops. Part of that request was not granted, and the troops were pulled from Los Angeles.
On Tuesday, the DOJ submitted a supplemental brief stating it does “not oppose lifting of the partial administrative stay and hereby respectfully withdraw their motion for a stay pending appeal.” Read the full brief here.
Gov. Newsom’s office explained that this filing means that as soon as the Ninth Circuit acts, the judge’s order directing control of the state’s National Guard would return to the governor.
The governor’s office said the Ninth Circuit could act as soon as Wednesday.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel