California Governor Sues Trump Over National Guard Deployment
California Governor Gavin Newsom has confirmed that the state is filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the recent deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles without state consent. The move has ignited a national debate over federal authority and states’ rights in times of civil unrest.
The dispute stems from the former president’s directive to deploy over 300 National Guard troops in response to recent immigration-related protests and ICE raids across Los Angeles County. The protests, which began peacefully, escalated into violent confrontations, property damage, and traffic blockages—prompting a controversial federal intervention.
Newsom denounced the deployment as unconstitutional, claiming the White House bypassed state protocols by invoking Title 10 of the U.S. Code without California’s request or approval. “This is an assault on democracy and our state’s right to self-governance,” the governor said during a press conference on Sunday.
The legal basis for Newsom’s challenge centers on the Posse Comitatus Act and the balance of power between the federal government and the states. Typically, the National Guard can only be federalized during insurrection or at the state’s request—neither of which applied here, according to California’s legal team.
Critics of the Trump directive argue that using the military to quell domestic protests—especially ones involving immigration policy—is a dangerous overreach. Civil rights groups and constitutional scholars have voiced concern about the precedent this sets for future administrations.
Trump, however, defended the move, stating on Truth Social that the protests were “out of control” and posed a threat to public safety. He warned of escalating measures if the unrest continued.
This isn’t the first time Newsom and Trump have clashed over immigration and law enforcement policies, but legal experts suggest this may become a defining battle in the broader discussion about presidential limits in domestic matters.
The lawsuit is expected to move quickly through federal court, given its implications for both state sovereignty and civil-military boundaries. Until then, the National Guard remains stationed in Los Angeles, even as city officials insist local law enforcement can manage the situation.
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