California Asks Court to Halt Trump’s Deployment of National Guard and U.S. Marines

Key Developments:

• California sues to block Trump’s use of National Guard and Marines for domestic patrols.
• Over 4,000 troops deployed to Los Angeles; 700 Marines added to protect federal buildings.
• Trump calls the move necessary to stop the city from “burning to the ground.”
• State leaders say the deployment is illegal, dangerous, and violates state sovereignty.
• Estimated 60-day deployment cost: $134 million, according to Pentagon budget officials.

Legal Pushback from California Leaders

According to a press release, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit against President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, asking the court to immediately block their order federalizing the California National Guard and using military troops for domestic law enforcement.

Governor Newsom also denounced the deployment, declaring it a betrayal of democratic values and a dangerous escalation.

Deployment Details

At President Trump’s direction, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mobilized nearly 2,000 members of the California National Guard on Saturday, and another 2,000 on Monday. The Pentagon approved the deployment of 700 Marines from Twentynine Palms to Los Angeles with a stated mission of protecting federal property.

Hegseth announced the deployments would last 60 days. A Pentagon budget official testified before Congress that the cost would exceed $134 million. He added the duration was designed to show “rioters, looters, and thugs… we’re not going anywhere.”

Trump Justifies Action on Social Media

President Trump defended the aggressive federal response on Truth Social:

He further blamed California’s leadership for slow reconstruction following recent wildfires, accusing them of “bungled” city and state permitting processes.

State’s Legal Argument

Filed under 10 U.S.C. § 12406, the suit argues that the federalization of the National Guard deprives California of its own troops, escalates unrest, and circumvents state authority. Bonta emphasized that military personnel should not be used for civilian law enforcement — a principle enshrined in the Posse Comitatus Act and decades of precedent.

Officials also allege that the Pentagon’s move was not only unauthorized by the Governor but also defied the coordination wishes of local law enforcement agencies.

Read More

• 👉 Newsom Sues Trump Over ‘Illegal’ Takeover of California National Guard
• 👉 Newsom Blasts Trump Over Federal Troop Deployment: “This Is a Manufactured Crisis”
• 👉 Los Angeles in Turmoil: National Guard Deployed as Protests Over Immigration Turn Violent
• 👉 LAPD Shoots Journalist During Immigration Protest in Downtown LA