SAN FRANCISCO, United States, June 17, 2025 (AFP) - A California court will hear arguments Tuesday on whether US President Donald Trump must give up control of the state's National Guard after he sent troops to protest-hit Los Angeles against the wishes of local officials.

Trump has deployed more than 4,000 guardsmen -- as well as 700 Marines -- to the second-largest US city, where his immigration crackdown has sparked fierce, mostly peaceful opposition with some violence and vandalism.

In a show of political muscle, Trump ignored the objections of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who would usually oversee the Guard.

A judge said Thursday that the Republican president's actions were "illegal" and ordered that he return control of the force to Newsom.

But a higher court paused that ruling until Tuesday after the Trump administration lodged an appeal and slammed the judge's order as an "extraordinary intrusion on the President's constitutional authority as Commander in Chief."

The midday hearing in San Francisco will likely at least determine whether the freeze on the order should be extended, effectively allowing Trump to maintain control over California's National Guard.

The fatigue-wearing troops have been tasked with protecting federal property in Los Angeles, stationed outside buildings with helmets and large shields.

US law restricts them from arresting citizens, though some guardsmen have fired tear gas and non-lethal rounds towards protesters, according to local media.

- 'Incite violence' -

California officials have heavily criticized Trump over his use of the military, saying it has escalated demonstrations that Los Angeles law enforcement could have handled.

It was the first time since 1965 that a US president deployed the National Guard over the wishes of a state's governor.

"His plan is clear: Incite violence and chaos in blue states, have an excuse to militarize our cities, demonize his opponents, keep breaking the law and consolidate power," Newsom wrote on X on Monday.

Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, accused the Trump administration of "manufacturing a crisis."

Trump has been unrepentant, taking credit for making Los Angeles "safe" and declaring that Newsom -- a contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 -- had "totally lost control."

The dispute mirrors multiple other tussles over Trump's attempts to expand the limits of presidential power, but is the first to involve troops.

Like other cases, it could go all the way to the Supreme Court, where Republican appointees hold a 6-3 majority.

Many in Los Angeles are angry about immigration raids carried out as part of Trump's ambition to deport vast numbers of undocumented migrants around the country.

Outrage at the use of masked, armed immigration agents has also sparked protests in other cities, including San Francisco, New York, Chicago and San Antonio, Texas.