The judge has ordered control of the the troops, which were deployed in June, to be returned to California's governor.

The order, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer, is a blow to the Trump administration, and comes six months after the president in June deployed thousands of federalized National Guard troops to the city in response to a wave of immigration protests.

Trump retains power over the California National Guard but may not deploy troops in Los Angeles for now, appeals panel rules.