A federal judge has blocked the deployment of National Guard units in Los Angeles and ordered control of the soldiers’ activity to be returned to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, saying President Donald Trump overstepped his legal authority in ordering thousands of soldiers to the city this summer.

The Trump administration, which ordered a total of 4,000 troops in response to violent clashes between law enforcement and protesters after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted a series of raids in early June, vowed to press ahead in the legal battle.

“President Trump exercised his lawful authority to deploy National Guard troops to support federal officers and assets following violent riots that local leaders like Newscum refused to stop,” Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman, said in a statement. “We look forward to ultimate victory on the issue.” 

Demonstrations that started as peaceful gatherings on June 6 soon turned aggressive as law enforcement began firing tear gas, flash bangs and less-lethal projectiles to get crowds to disperse crowds. Trump announced on June 7 he was federalizing National Guard troops and sending them to Los Angeles. States have control over National Guard units, but they can be called into federal service in emergency circumstances. 

San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer also rejected arguments from the Trump administration that courts have no power to review the president’s ability to take control of National Guard units during times of emergency during Wednesday’s ruling.

“The Founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances,” Bryer wrote. “Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one.”

Newsom’s office issued a statement Wednesday morning criticizing Trump for redirecting National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles.

“Today’s ruling is abundantly clear — the federalization of the National Guard in California is illegal and must end,” Newsom said. “The President deployed these brave men and women against their own communities, removing them from essential public safety operations. We look forward to all National Guard servicemembers being returned to state service.”

While the ruling gives Newsom a victory, other matters in the legal battle remain unresolved. The federal government is appealing a ruling from August that found Trump’s deployment of federalized National Guard troops in Los Angeles violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the military’s involvement in domestic law enforcement.

The Trump administration has federalized National Guard troops in other states, including Oregon and Illinois. Those decisions are also being tested in court.