Newsom Plans Legal Action Against Trump over Guard Deployment

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Sunday his intention to sue the Trump administration following the deployment of 300 National Guard members from his state to Portland, Oregon.

A federal judge had temporarily halted the dispatch of 200 Oregon National Guard members to the state’s largest city. US District Judge Karin Imargat issued a temporary restraining order against Defense Secretary Pete Hegses’ authorization to federate the Oregon Security Force.

“This is an astonishing misuse of law and power,” Newsom stated. “The Trump administration is undermining the rule of law itself and turning dangerous rhetoric into action. Even those who have disregard for court orders and are appointed by the president are dealing with judges as if they’re political adversaries.”

President Trump had directed Hegses last month to send security forces to Portland in response to ongoing protests near Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in the city. Trump announced this order on his social media platform, asserting that the buildings were “under siege from attacks by Antifa and other domestic terrorists.”

Democratic leaders, including Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, State Attorney General Dan Layfield, and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, have rejected Trump’s claims. In a suppression order request filed on September 28, plaintiffs called the situation “forced” and illegal.

This marks the second instance in which Trump has intervened with the California National Guard against Newsom’s wishes. In June, the president ordered 4,000 troops and around 700 Marines to Los Angeles amid protests related to ICE actions in the area.

A federal judge ruled last month that the administration’s actions might have been in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which restricts military involvement in civilian law enforcement. Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have argued that Trump’s orders overstepped his authority, as the control of state guards resides with the governor unless there are threats of invasion or rebellion, as noted in US Code Title 10, Section 12406.

In light of the legal moves announced on Sunday, Newsom encouraged Americans to “speak” out against the president’s actions.

“This is about power, not public safety,” he stated. “The Commander-in-Chief is using the U.S. military as a political tool against American citizens. We plan to take this fight to court, but it’s crucial that the public does not stay silent in the face of such reckless and authoritarian behavior from the president.”