CNN legal analyst Elie Honig said Friday that a recent federal appeals court ruling affirms that judges cannot “simply second-guess” President Donald Trump’s decisions merely because they disagree with them. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld Trump’s 2020 decision to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles during violent riots, stating he “lawfully exercised his statutory authority.” Honig called the ruling a “big win” for Trump and presidential power. Speaking on The Situation Room, Honig explained, “This ruling is huge—it confirms that while courts can review presidential actions, they must give very broad deference. Unless the president’s decision is made in bad faith or is patently absurd, it stands.”
The riots followed ICE raids that targeted illegal immigrants with criminal records. In response, Trump deployed National Guard troops and Marines to restore order amid arson and attacks on law enforcement. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the ruling, insisting Trump is “not above the law” and vowing to continue challenging what he called “authoritarian” use of federal force. Despite the backlash, the court’s decision strengthens the executive branch’s authority in national security and public safety matters.
