California's governor insists on withdrawing the National Guard from Los Angeles.
Clash of Powers: California Governor Challenges Federal Deployment of National Guard in Los Angeles
A significant dispute over the legal status of National Guard troops deployed in Los Angeles during the 2025 protests has emerged between California Governor Gavin Newsom and former President Donald Trump.
The deployment, initiated under the Trump administration in early June 2025, involved approximately 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines, federalized and sent to Los Angeles to protect federal facilities amid protests over immigration enforcement actions. Governor Newsom strongly opposed this federalization, arguing that it violated the 10th Amendment by usurping state authority over the California National Guard.
Newsom filed a lawsuit against federal officials to challenge the legality of the deployment, claiming it to be unlawful and unnecessary. He also criticized the Trump administration for using California Guardsmen as "political pawns" and "props" in a political theater, drawing troops away from essential state duties like wildfire control and combating narcotics trafficking.
As a response, the federal government began to withdraw troops. By mid-July 2025, nearly 2,000 federalized National Guard troops were pulled out, followed by the demobilization of 700 Marines later in the month. Newsom called for the immediate return of all federalized troops back under state control to resume their prior missions. By early August, about 1,350 more National Guard members were withdrawn, leaving around 250 still protecting federal property.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has also spoken out against the Trump administration, accusing it of escalating tensions and condemning protesters who resorted to violence. Bass told reporters at a press conference that she does not want to see chaos in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the Department of Defense is prepared to mobilize troops if violence in Los Angeles continues.
The region had no issues, according to Governor Newsom, until President Trump interfered. U.S. Northern Command has deployed 300 National Guard troops to three areas in Los Angeles, with around 500 Marines ready to deploy if ordered. The FBI offered a $50,000 reward for information on the individual throwing rocks at police cars in Paramount, an incident that led to an officer being injured.
The dispute between Newsom and Trump reflects a clash between federal authority and state control over National Guard forces, with Newsom insisting troops must be under state control for legal and practical reasons, while Trump’s administration pursued a federalized deployment that Newsom and other California leaders deemed unlawful and harmful.
[1] Los Angeles Times, "California National Guard: Newsom sues federal officials over deployment during 2025 protests," June 2025. [2] The New York Times, "California Governor Newsom Files Lawsuit over National Guard Deployment during 2025 Protests," June 2025. [3] CNN, "Gavin Newsom: Trump's National Guard Deployment in California is Unlawful," June 2025. [4] The Washington Post, "Gavin Newsom: Trump's National Guard Deployment in California is a Violation of State Sovereignty," June 2025. [5] Associated Press, "California Governor Newsom Calls for Immediate Return of Federalized Troops," July 2025.
- The escalating war-and-conflicts between California Governor Gavin Newsom and former President Donald Trump over National Guard troops deployed in Los Angeles during the 2025 protests has not only seen the light in general-news but also in crime-and-justice discussions with the FBI offering a reward for a suspect throwing rocks at police cars.
- The dispute, initially addressed in sports-betting media outlets due to its political implications, has now expanded its coverage to sports headlines as well, with defense secretary Pete Hegseth threatening to deploy more troops if violence persists.
- The controversy over the federal deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles during 2025 protests has given rise to legal debates and court cases, with Governor Newsom filing multiple lawsuits against federal officials on grounds of unlawful and unnecessary deployment, while also raising issues related to state-administered duties like wildfire control and combating narcotics trafficking.
- Politics has no bounds during war-and-conflicts, as evident during the 2025 protests when both California Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly criticized the Trump administration for using National Guard troops as political pawns, escalating tensions and drawing troops away from essential services.
