California Governor to Sue Trump Administration Over National Guard Deployment
California Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration early Monday concerning the deployment of a 300-member National Guard unit in Los Angeles. This comes after the LAPD chief expressed feeling “overwhelmed” by the presence of additional officers in the city over the weekend.
Newsom announced his intentions after sending a letter to the Secretary of Defense on Sunday, demanding the “illegal” deployment be revoked and returned to state control, noting that such measures are “not necessary now” for public safety.
He stated, “Currently, law enforcement in Los Angeles is maintaining public safety adequately, as evidenced by a strong response to protect federal facilities last night.” He emphasized that the administration failed to coordinate the deployment with his office as initially outlined.
Simultaneously, the Department of Defense alerted that 500 Marines are on standby to move into California if violence persists.
Los Angeles witnessed further unrest Sunday night amid ongoing protests against local law enforcement practices. Demonstrators reportedly closed down sections of the 101 highway, threw fireworks, and vandalized vehicles, while looters targeted local businesses, prompting police to declare parts of downtown an illegal gathering zone.
Officers responded with tear gas and projectiles, leading to injuries among both protesters and police, with at least 27 arrests being made during the chaos.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell condemned the violence, describing it as “unpleasant” and noting that the situation is “getting worse.” He expressed concern over potential injuries from commercial-grade fireworks being used against officers.
Newsom criticized the current state of affairs, blaming Trump’s involvement for escalating tensions. He remarked, “It wasn’t a problem until Trump got involved. It undermines our national sovereignty and diverts resources from areas that truly need them. Cancel the order; return control to California.”
Late Sunday evening, Newsom introduced his lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing the president of dishonesty, claiming he had not mentioned the National Guard in prior conversations.
President Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to assist with the protests, but only about 300 had reportedly arrived by Sunday, with another 1,700 still waiting.
Despite this, some officials within the Trump administration suggested that the current force might not suffice to manage the ongoing protests.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegses announced additional Marines are poised to assist if necessary, as protests persisted outside military grounds, including demonstrations by veterans opposing military involvement in civilian disturbances.
The FBI is also offering a $50,000 reward for information related to assaults on police officers during the protests, with some individuals being placed on their “Most Wanted” list.
Newsom plans to meet with local law enforcement to discuss strategies amidst what he described as “chaos from Washington.” He made it clear they aim to focus on maintaining peace rather than participating in any political conflicts.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed Newsom’s sentiments, asserting that the deployment of federal forces only exacerbated the situation, calling it “a chaotic escalation.” She added, “If you want chaos, send troops when they’re not needed.”
Trump, in a social media post late Sunday, criticized both Newsom and Bass, suggesting that “paid rebels” were inciting the disturbances. He stated, “Governor Gavin Newscum and ‘Mayor’ Bass owe an apology to the people of Los Angeles for the horrifying situation, including ongoing riots.” He concluded, “LA looks really bad, so bring in the army!”
