Judge mulls Trump's authority over National Guard, warns US is not 'King George' monarchy

A federal judge pressed the Department of Justice during a hearing Thursday about whether President Donald Trump followed the law when he activated the National Guard in response to recent anti-immigration enforcement protests and riots in Los Angeles County, California.

Judge Charles Breyer, a Clinton appointee, repeatedly drew comparisons to a monarchy as he weighed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's request that the court temporarily restrict Trump's power to use the National Guard.

Breyer said the United States is not ruled by a king and that presidential power has limitations.

"We're talking about the president exercising his authority, and the president is, of course, limited to his authority," Breyer said. "That's the difference between a constitutional government and King George. It’s not that a leader can simply say something, and it becomes it."

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