ICYMI: California Unites Against Trump’s National Guard Takeover

Highlights:

• President Trump deployed California’s National Guard without Governor Newsom’s consent amid protests in Los Angeles.
• Top California leaders, including senators and congressional members, condemned the move as unconstitutional and inflammatory.
• Democratic governors nationwide issued a unified statement accusing Trump of abusing power.
• Legal challenges have been initiated; the situation could set a precedent on federal overreach.

Federal Takeover Sparks Statewide Outrage

President Donald J. Trump’s federalization of California’s National Guard on June 8, 2025—bypassing Governor Gavin Newsom’s authority—has drawn swift and forceful backlash from across California’s political spectrum. The move comes amid widespread protests in Los Angeles, triggered by aggressive ICE raids that began days earlier.

Background on ICE Raids and Protests

On June 6, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents launched a series of immigration enforcement operations across Los Angeles County. These actions, criticized as excessive by immigrant rights groups, sparked local protests that escalated over the weekend. By June 8, President Trump activated the National Guard under Title 10, deploying troops into Los Angeles despite local authorities reporting no unmet public safety needs.

Newsom and California Leaders Push Back

According to an official statement from the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, California will take legal action to challenge what Newsom described as an “illegal and immoral” federal overreach. The governor accused President Trump of fabricating a crisis and inflaming tensions for political purposes, despite local authorities having successfully de-escalated unrest on the ground prior to the deployment.

In the same statement, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis criticized the move as a tactic of intimidation against immigrant communities, while Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized that there was “no emergency” requiring federal military assistance. “The President’s order is unnecessary and counterproductive,” said Bonta.

Congressional Condemnation

Senator Alex Padilla called the mission “misguided,” while Senator Adam Schiff warned of a dangerous precedent: “This is not about restoring peace; it’s about provoking chaos.” Over a dozen Democratic House members from California issued statements denouncing the move, including Representatives Jimmy Gomez, Nanette Barragán, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and Norma Torres.

“Trump is provoking chaos to justify an illegal and violent crackdown,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “He wants to expand his own power, but we will not let this wanna-be dictator win.”

Unified Statement from Democratic Governors

In a rare show of bipartisan unity, 22 Democratic governors, including leaders from Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Washington, issued a joint statement via the Democratic Governors Association (DGA).

They warned that federalizing a state’s National Guard without its Governor’s consent “undermines the mission of our service members” and sets a dangerous precedent for future power abuses.

Local Officials and Civil Rights Groups Speak Out

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the deployment “a chaotic escalation,” while LA County Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Holly Mitchell labeled it “an intimidation tactic.” Civil rights groups including the ACLU of Southern California, NAACP, and Amnesty International said the move weaponized fear and militarized immigrant communities.

Trump’s Defense and Online Remarks

Defending the move, President Trump posted a lengthy message on TruthSocial claiming the National Guard deployment was crucial to prevent widespread violence.

Trump accused state officials of “lying to the People of California and America” by calling the demonstrations peaceful. “Just one look at the pictures and videos of the Violence and Destruction tells you all you have to know,” he wrote. He framed the unrest as manufactured by local leaders’ failure and insisted his intervention was necessary for public safety.

“We will always do what is needed to keep our Citizens SAFE, so we can, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he concluded.

Outlook: Legal and Political Fallout

California has initiated legal proceedings to challenge the federal takeover. Legal scholars suggest this could become a landmark test of state rights under the Insurrection Act and 10 U.S. Code § 12406. If successful, it could curtail future presidents from unilaterally deploying troops within state borders.

The joint statement by Democratic governors reinforces the legal argument that state control over National Guard units is foundational to federalism. The courts are now being asked to weigh constitutional boundaries in an increasingly divided America.