California's governor insists on the removal of the National Guard from Los Angeles.
In a contentious standoff, California Governor Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump are at odds over the deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, following Trump's decision to federalize the California National Guard during protests triggered by federal immigration raids.
Key Timeline and Details
- June 6, 2025: Protests erupted in Los Angeles against workplace raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal agencies, following Trump's immigration enforcement strategy after his 2024 re-election. Los Angeles had recently adopted a sanctuary city policy limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
- June 7, 2025: President Trump invoked 10 U.S.C. § 12406, federalizing part of the California National Guard to protect federal property and personnel amid protests. This move was done despite Governor Newsom's opposition.
- June 9, 2025: Governor Newsom sued the Trump administration seeking relief against the federalization of the California National Guard, arguing the deployment exceeded presidential authority and violated the law, including the Posse Comitatus Act.
- June 10, 2025: A federal district judge denied Newsom's request for immediate relief.
- June 12, 2025: The same judge ruled against the Trump administration, deeming the National Guard deployment illegal and beyond Trump's authority. The administration appealed, and the Ninth Circuit granted a stay, allowing federal control to continue.
- June 17, 2025: The Ninth Circuit held an appellate hearing, and on June 19, extended the stay maintaining federal control over the troops.
- Mid-July 2025: Despite the lawsuit and legal setbacks to Newsom, the Pentagon began ending the deployment; by July 15-16, about 2,000 of the 4,000 California National Guard troops deployed were withdrawn, while approximately 700 Marines remained to protect federal facilities.
- Newsom criticized the deployment as politicizing the National Guard and pulling troops away from their civilian lives without proper mission or direction, calling on Trump and the Department of Defense to end the deployment immediately.
- Politically, Newsom shifted from a cautious stance toward more aggressive opposition, using social media and public statements to confront Trump over this and related federal-state conflicts.
Controversy Surrounds Federal Authority and the Militarization of Protests
The dispute, known as the Newsom v. Trump case, involves legal and political challenges brought by Newsom against Trump's administration for deploying California National Guard troops without state consent during immigration-related protests in Los Angeles. This has raised controversy over federal authority, the Posse Comitatus Act, and the militarization of civilian protests.
During the protests, some protesters threw concrete, bottles, and other objects at police. Bass, the Los Angeles Mayor, condemned such violence, while Trump threatened to use force against protesters who spit at police or National Guard soldiers.
As of now, 300 National Guard troops have been deployed to three areas in Los Angeles, raising concerns about escalating tensions in the city. Bass accused the Trump administration of escalating tensions and pulling troops away from their civilian lives without proper mission or direction.
[1] ABC News, "California National Guard: Governor Newsom Sues Trump Administration Over Federalization," June 9, 2025. [2] The New York Times, "Federal Court Rules Against Trump Administration in California National Guard Case," June 12, 2025. [3] CNN, "Pentagon Begins Ending California National Guard Deployment," July 15, 2025. [4] Politico, "Newsom Goes on the Offensive Against Trump," July 20, 2025.
War-and-conflicts escalated in Los Angeles as Governor Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump engaged in a heated dispute over the deployment of National Guard troops. This controversy, named the Newsom v. Trump case, is centered on the legality and politics of deploying California National Guard troops without state consent during immigration-related protests, which has raised questions about federal authority, the Posse Comitatus Act, and the militarization of civilian protests.
In the midst of this conflict, politics played a significant role, with Governor Newsom shifting from a cautious stance to more aggressive opposition towards President Trump, using social media and public statements to confront him over this issue and related federal-state conflicts.
