The decision extends Supreme Court reasoning from a separate 2025 case that found Trump lacked authority to deploy National Guard troops into Chicago.
Less than two weeks before the midterm election, the ruling sharpens legal limits on using the military on U.S. soil and could deter any attempt to federalize Guard units for polling-place operations.
The decision adds another court win for California in its long-running clash with the Trump administration over the Los Angeles protests, troop deployments and election-related powers.
Could restricting federal authority over the National Guard inadvertently leave cities vulnerable during severe emergencies, or does it strictly protect civil liberties?
With midterms approaching, what mechanisms guarantee that military forces remain outside civilian polling places despite ongoing domestic security concerns?