California Gov. Newsom to Sue Trump over National Guard Deployment/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a lawsuit against President Donald Trump for federalizing the National Guard amid immigration protests in Los Angeles. The legal challenge comes after Trump bypassed state authority with a contentious executive order. Tensions between federal and state leaders continue to escalate.
Trump Guard Order Sparks Legal Showdown: California Quick Looks
- Newsom says Trump “illegally acted” in deploying troops
- Trump’s memo invoked rarely used powers, bypassed state leadership
- Lawsuit warns action could extend to any U.S. state
- 300 National Guard troops already stationed in Los Angeles
- ICE protest crackdown continues into third day
- Trump officials accuse Democrats of undermining law enforcement
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called “a joke” by Newsom
- White House silent as tensions grow across party lines
Deep Look: California to Sue Trump Over National Guard Order Amid LA Protest Unrest
Los Angeles
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Monday that the state will file a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, accusing him of unlawfully deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles amid ongoing protests against federal immigration enforcement. The move heightens an already fierce clash between state Democratic leaders and the Trump administration over how to respond to nationwide unrest.
Lawsuit Over National Guard Federalization
In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), Newsom declared Trump’s action “illegal”, accusing the president of overstepping his authority by invoking emergency powers without state consent.
“The order he signed doesn’t just apply to CA. It will allow him to go into ANY STATE and do the same thing. We’re suing him,” Newsom warned.
The memorandum, signed Saturday by Trump, authorized the federalization of 2,000 National Guard personnel for 60 days. It invoked rarely used provisions that bypassed Newsom’s role as commander-in-chief of the state’s Guard units. The order claimed it was needed due to “numerous incidents of violence and disorder,” though it did not specifically mention Los Angeles.
Escalating Political Firestorm
The decision triggered immediate pushback from California’s Democratic leadership, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who criticized the action as an unnecessary and inflammatory escalation. Protests in L.A. have continued for three days, with highways blocked and ICE criticized for aggressive enforcement.
“That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions,” Newsom said in a formal statement.
Bass has also faced criticism from federal authorities. In a Saturday NBC News interview, Border Enforcement Czar Tom Homan suggested that Democratic leaders “aren’t above the law” and could be subject to arrest if they obstruct enforcement or harbor undocumented immigrants.
Newsom’s retort:
“Come and get me, tough guy.”
Homan later attempted to clarify on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, calling the NBC report “dishonest,” and reiterating that no lines had yet been crossed — “but they’re not above the law either.”
Newsom Blasts Defense Secretary, Warns of National Implications
Governor Newsom continued his offensive Monday by releasing a clip of an interview with commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, in which he labeled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth a “joke” and portrayed Trump as “unhinged.”
“This is a preview for things to come,” Newsom said. “It’s about us today, and you tomorrow.”
Newsom’s comments echo growing fears that the federalization of state forces for domestic political purposes could set a dangerous precedent.
Protests, Military Presence, and Public Response
The ongoing unrest in Los Angeles — largely driven by opposition to ICE raids and immigration policy — has seen protesters gathering along Highway 101, waving signs and blocking traffic. The demonstrations have remained mostly peaceful but intense, prompting federal concerns over public order.
By Sunday evening, approximately 300 National Guard troops were deployed throughout Los Angeles under the federal order. The deployment followed smaller protests last week that gradually swelled in number, with tensions increasing between law enforcement and demonstrators.
Legal and Political Implications
The lawsuit represents one of the most direct legal confrontations between a state and the Trump administration during his second term. Legal scholars are closely watching to see how federal courts interpret the constitutionality of bypassing gubernatorial authority.
Critics of Trump’s actions argue that the order is part of a broader strategy to nationalize law enforcement ahead of the 2026 midterms, capitalizing on unrest to position the administration as a “law-and-order” bulwark.
Meanwhile, Trump allies maintain that the federal government has both the right and duty to restore order, especially where state leadership is seen as obstructive or ineffective.
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