Newsom Reacts to 9th Circuit Decision on National Guard

Governor Gavin Newsom expressed disappointment following the 9th Circuit’s ruling that permits President Trump to retain control over the California State Guard. However, he highlighted a particular aspect of the decision as a win for his side.

In an early Friday statement, Newsom asserted that Trump “is not a king, he is not beyond the law.” He noted that the court appropriately dismissed Trump’s argument that he could operate the National Guard without judicial oversight.

“The court rightly overturned Trump’s claim that he could federate the National Guard and evade scrutiny. This is important to ensure that the president doesn’t overstep his authority,” Newsom remarked. He reiterated the commitment to challenge Trump’s deployment of U.S. soldiers against civilian protests.

While Newsom viewed the ruling as a victory, he acknowledged that the ongoing situation remains complicated. A unanimous decision from the 9th Circuit allowed Trump to maintain control over the National Guard despite the state’s objections. Recently, the National Guard had been deployed in response to riots in Los Angeles linked to demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized their stance on holding Trump accountable for using military forces in domestic law enforcement, claiming it’s a violation of federal law.

In lighter remarks, Newsom pointed out the significance of the ruling but seemed to reflect on its implications, suggesting there’s still more to be navigated regarding controlling the National Guard.

Finally, the court mentioned that it believed the president’s decision to deploy the National Guard was legitimate. However, it noted that the president did not inform the governor prior to taking action, though Newsom lacked the authority to dismiss Trump’s orders.