Judge Charles Breyer says the central question is whether the Trump administration may have violated the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act.

That federal law generally prevents the military from participating in domestic law enforcement.

Mr Trump said he was deploying the National Guard and taking over Washington's police department to reduce crime.

The president has warned of a takeover since a former Department of Government Efficiency employee Edward Coristine, better known by his online alias Big Balls, was allegedly assaulted during an attempted carjacking last week.