President Donald Trump secured another legal win in his dispute with Governor Gavin Newsom, as a federal appeals court ruled that his deployment of the California National Guard to protect federal personnel and property in Los Angeles County was lawful.

On Thursday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a unanimous 3-0 decision in Trump’s favor, overturning a lower court ruling that had found he violated the Constitution by deploying the Guard over Newsom’s objections.

“Both irreparable harm and the public interest weigh in favor of Defendants, who have an uncontested interest in the protection of federal agents and property and the faithful execution of law,” the court wrote in its decision. “The undisputed facts demonstrate that before the deployment of the National Guard, protesters ‘pinned down’ several federal officers and threw ‘concrete chunks, bottles of liquid, and other objects’ at the officers. Protesters also damaged federal buildings and caused the closure of at least one federal building.”

Last week, the same court granted an emergency injunction in favor of Trump, allowing him to retain control of the National Guard while the legal case proceeded. The judges stated they were persuaded by evidence showing that the Guard’s role was limited to protecting federal personnel and property.

Earlier this month, Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard following outbreaks of violence in several California cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, in response to ICE operations. To date, at least 20 individuals have been federally charged for offenses such as assaulting or spitting on federal officers and damaging federal property.

Local authorities have also arrested dozens more in connection with the unrest.

Trump celebrated the decision from the appeals court. 

“BIG WIN in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on the President’s core power to call in the National Guard! The Judges obviously realized that Gavin Newscum is incompetent and ill prepared, but this is much bigger than Gavin, because all over the United States, if our Cities, and our people, need protection, we are the ones to give it to them should State and Local Police be unable, for whatever reason, to get the job done,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“This is a Great Decision for our Country, and we will continue to protect and defend Law abiding Americans. Congratulations to the Ninth Circuit, America is proud of you tonight!”