WASHINGTON (CP) – California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration Monday, claiming the federal deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to address protests in Los Angeles violates state sovereignty and represents an unnecessary escalation of tensions.
President Donald Trump mobilized California National Guard forces Saturday following demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement operations in the Los Angeles area. The deployment marks an unprecedented use of federal authority, as the troops were activated without the governor’s request under Title 10 of the U.S. Code. Approximately 300 Guard members from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team arrived Sunday to protect federal facilities, with an additional 500 Marines at Twentynine Palms placed on prepared-to-deploy status.
Newsom described the federal action as “purposefully inflammatory” and argued that local law enforcement had the situation under control. During a phone conversation Friday night lasting over 40 minutes, the governor assured Trump that California authorities could manage the demonstrations without federal assistance. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed these concerns, stating that the National Guard deployment would only “escalate tensions” in communities where protests have remained largely peaceful according to local police reports.
The protests emerged following Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations that detained dozens of individuals across Los Angeles County. ICE officials defended their actions, stating they were enforcing immigration law and removing individuals with criminal backgrounds from local communities. Federal border czar Tom Homan warned that state and local officials could face prosecution if they interfere with federal immigration enforcement, though he noted that no officials had crossed that line yet. The Trump administration has indicated that immigration operations will continue for 30 days across the region as part of broader efforts to strengthen border security and enforce federal immigration laws.