California Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the situation surrounding the deployment of the National Guard on Monday, criticizing the Department of Defense for exacerbating tensions. He pointed out that the situation worsened after federal troops were sent to Los Angeles amid protests against immigrant raids.
“The deployment of troops escalated tensions,” Newsom remarked on X, mentioning the Pentagon’s involvement. “Donald Trump is creating a crisis and is clearly unable to resolve it, so California has to step in.”
This comment followed a post from the Department of Defense that claimed, “Los Angeles is on fire, and local leaders are not responding.” Newsom aimed to counter this narrative.
Amid ongoing protests, President Trump dispatched 2,000 National Guard troops to the Los Angeles area on Saturday. White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt labeled the demonstrators as “violent mobs” attacking basic deportation operations.
While disturbances have surged recently, most protests have remained peaceful. Nonetheless, about 300 troops from the California State Guard began arriving in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, being stationed in various locations.
Images depicting destruction, including a burning vehicle, were circulated by White House officials as part of their narrative on the unrest.
“Those behind the chaos are professional agitators. They’re rebels, and they belong in prison,” Trump stated in a press briefing.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that 500 U.S. Marines might also be sent into the city, asserting that the US Northern Command stands ready for deployment.
California officials criticized the Pentagon’s actions, labeling them “inflammatory” and claiming that such measures undermine public trust.
Newsom traded barbs with Hegseth, dismissing his proposals as “ridiculous.” He remarked sarcastically, “He’s joking, right? Everyone knows he’s not thinking straight. It’s embarrassing.”
This back-and-forth continued when Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell responded to Newsom’s criticism on X, suggesting that, instead of addressing the issues in LA, Newsom was focused on attacking Hegseth. “Unlike Newsom, [Hegseth] isn’t afraid to lead,” Parnell added.
Newsom formally called on the Trump administration to withdraw the National Guard, deeming their presence “illegal” and pledging to take legal action against the federal government.
“There’s no justification for this deployment in Los Angeles, and it violates our sovereignty, seemingly designed to inflame tensions,” he said. “We urge you to rescind your order and restore control of the National Guard to California.”
Historically, presidents have mobilized state National Guard troops without circumventing governors only once in the last 60 years—when President Lyndon Johnson sent troops to Selma, Alabama in 1965 to protect civil rights demonstrators.
