In a strong joint statement released Tuesday, nearly all Republican attorneys general criticized California’s Democratic leadership for what they termed a tolerance of criminal behavior. They argued that President Donald Trump had no option but to deploy thousands of National Guard soldiers in response to the unrest.
According to the 26 attorneys general, “In California, we see the consequences of leadership that excuses lawlessness and undermines law enforcement. The federal government must step in when local and state officials fail to take action.”
The attorneys general supported Trump’s decision to federalize the National Guard to address anti-immigration protests and riots that occurred over the weekend in parts of Los Angeles County, labeling it as the “right response.”
Their statements starkly contrasted with the views of Democrats like Governor Gavin Newsom, who criticized the deployment as an unnecessary move. Newsom has even filed a lawsuit against Trump, claiming the president infringed on California’s sovereignty. Typically, the National Guard operates under the dual authority of both the governor and the president, but such deployments usually require the governor’s approval.
In a brief chat, Georgia Attorney General Chris Kerr expressed to Fox News Digital that local law enforcement in California was apprehensive and argued that Trump’s intervention was unwarranted. He described the situation as “gaslighting,” yet also acknowledged that federal officers had encountered serious threats amid the protests.
“We all witnessed what was happening,” Kerr noted. He remarked that some local agencies felt overwhelmed and needed assistance. His question lingered: why did local authorities hesitate to accept federal help when it was so chaotic?
Kerr maintained that those opposing the Trump administration’s immigration policies were engaging in peaceful protest.
In response to the situation, Newsom argued that Trump’s actions only served to escalate tensions, criticizing his approach as ineffective. Within his lawsuit, his legal team described Trump’s decisions as not only unwise but also illegal, characterizing them as an “unprecedented seizure of national authority and resources.”
Fox News Digital has reached out for comments from the California Attorney General’s office.
