By Dietrich Knauth and Tom Hals WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. appeals court let Donald Trump retain control on Thursday of California's National Guard while the state's Democratic governor proceeds with a lawsuit challenging the Republican president's use of the troops to quell protests in Los Angeles.

A federal appeals court is allowing President Donald Trump to maintain control over thousands of members of California’s National Guard.

The appeals court ruled on a challenge to the president's authority to deploy troops against the wishes of state and local officials.