California Sues Trump Over LA National Guard Move
The state of California has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over the controversial deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, calling it an unconstitutional overreach of executive power. The move came amid intensifying protests following aggressive immigration enforcement actions that sparked public outrage and civil unrest in early June.
National Guard deployment sparks legal standoff
President Trump’s order activated over 2,000 California National Guard troops and 700 active-duty Marines, bypassing Governor Gavin Newsom’s authority by invoking Title 10 of the U.S. Code. California officials argue that such a move, without the governor’s consent or clear justification under the Insurrection Act, constitutes a violation of both federalism and the Tenth Amendment.
In response, Governor Newsom declared that “the President has launched an unprecedented and dangerous incursion into state governance.” The lawsuit seeks immediate nullification of the order, arguing that the situation in Los Angeles did not warrant a federal military response.
LA protests and state resistance
The protests, which began following sweeping ICE raids in immigrant communities, quickly escalated, with parts of downtown Los Angeles witnessing incidents of arson, vandalism, and violent confrontations. Despite the chaos, state and city leaders maintained that local authorities were capable of handling the situation.
Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, “There is no lawful basis for this deployment. California did not request federal troops, and no constitutional trigger was met.” The legal challenge emphasizes that state forces were already mobilized and that the federal action only served to inflame an already volatile situation.
Democratic backlash and national concerns
The federal action has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders across the country. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass referred to the deployment as a “test case” for federal overreach, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for other states. Former Vice President Kamala Harris described the deployment as “reckless and destabilizing,” accusing the Trump administration of using the military to score political points.
Governor Newsom further warned that allowing such a deployment to stand would “gut state authority and open the door for military intervention in future protests or political unrest.”
A constitutional confrontation ahead
The lawsuit underscores deepening national tensions over the role of the military in domestic affairs and the balance of power between the federal government and individual states. Legal experts suggest the case could become a landmark decision on civil-military relations, with implications that extend far beyond California.
As the court prepares to hear arguments, the confrontation between California and the Trump administration is shaping into a broader debate over the limits of presidential power, federalism, and the sanctity of democratic institutions.
