A major legal blow landed this week when federal judge Charles Breyer ruled that Donald Trump’s deployment of the California National Guard to Los Angeles during immigration protests was illegal and unconstitutional.

Judge Breyer found Trump’s move violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded presidential authority, siding with California officials. Governor Gavin Newsom did not hold back, calling the decision “a check” on Trump “whose authoritarian tendencies are increasing by the day.”

Newsom added, “Today is a big day for the Constitution of the United States, for our democracy. And I hope it’s the beginning of a new day in this country where we push back against overreach… no longer can [Trump] push this state around any longer.”

The legal setbacks kept coming. The U.S. appeals court refused to reconsider Trump’s loss to E. Jean Carroll, leaving him responsible for a staggering $91 million after interest for sexual abuse and defamation. Meanwhile, another federal judge blocked Trump’s latest executive order on elections, siding with Democratic attorneys general who called it a clear overreach.

The order would have forced states to require proof of citizenship to vote and restricted mail-in ballots, but the court found it unconstitutional and an attack on state sovereignty.
History shows that fascist movements often go after the courts first, trying to bend the law to serve their leader and weaken democracy. Despite these warnings from history, Trump has secured pledges from major law firms for nearly a billion dollars in pro bono legal work, with at least nine firms agreeing to provide $940 million in services for causes he supports.

While the courts have pushed back, the real question remains: will he even listen to the court? So far this year, Trump has already ignored at least 14 separate court rulings or orders.