Attorney General Bill Barr criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom’s legal challenge regarding President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in response to the state’s recent riots. Barr dismissed Newsom’s lawsuit as entirely baseless, stating that the legal argument is “nonsense” and should not be taken seriously.
The lawsuit questions Trump’s ability to federate the National Guard without the governor’s consent. Newsom contends that this action falls within federal powers but argues that Trump has overstepped constitutional bounds by calling on the military.
Barr clarified, “The National Guard can be utilized by both states and the federal government. This practice is not new; it’s been part of our history.” According to a recent court application, administrative lawyers have asserted they are “not obligated” to inform or consult the governor before deploying National Guard troops federally.
Trump has justified the military’s use under federal laws that address “rebellion or imminent threat” against the U.S. government, but Newsom argues that the situation does not reach that level of threat. Instead, he believes sending in the military exacerbates tensions.
In a statement earlier this week, Newsom said, “Deploying trained soldiers onto the streets is unprecedented and undermines our democracy.” He criticized Trump as acting like a tyrant and requested that the court stop these “illegal activities” immediately.
The legal clash intensified when Newsom sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the deployment. A federal judge considered the matter but declined to grant an immediate request, scheduling a hearing for Thursday.
Barr stood by the administration’s position, stating that federal law has historically allowed the president to deploy national security forces domestically and internationally. “The same provision that permits sending the National Guard overseas has been utilized throughout our nation’s history,” he explained.
Despite ongoing uncertainty, the Department of Homeland Security continues its operations concerning arresting individuals within the U.S.
