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California sued the Trump administration on Monday for sending 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles without the governor’s approval. The rare move has raised tensions between the federal government and the Democratic-led state.
The lawsuit claims President Trump went beyond his powers by using a law meant for foreign invasions or rebellions to justify the deployment, despite Governor Gavin Newsom’s opposition.
“Let me be clear: There is no invasion. There is no rebellion,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) said in a statement. “The President is trying to manufacture chaos and crisis on the ground for his own political ends.”
The lawsuit argues that Trump’s action unlawfully violated Governor Newsom’s authority as the head of California’s National Guard. The White House did not immediately comment, but at an event soon after the lawsuit was filed, Trump defended his decision to send in the troops.
California Governor Gavin Newsom slammed the “deranged” decision Monday by “dictatorial” US President Donald Trump to deploy hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles after days of unruly protests against immigration raids.
“US Marines have served honorably across multiple wars in defense of democracy,” Newsom posted on X. “They shouldn’t be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen to fulfill the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President. This is un-American.”
Trump now deploys 700 marines
Trump on Monday sent hundreds of active-duty Marines to Los Angeles, warning that protesters against immigration arrests would be “hit harder” than ever.
About 700 regular troops will join the thousands of National Guard members already in the city, raising tensions in the largely Latino area.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts2,000 National Guard troops expected in LA
As protests enter their fourth day, more National Guard forces are being deployed to support those already on the ground. The number is expected to reach 2,000 by mid-week.
However, the Pentagon has not invoked the Insurrection Act, which would allow the military to take over law enforcement duties — a move officials say they want to avoid.