California Governor Newsom Responds to Trump's National Guard Deployment Amid Protests
Governor Newsom's Response to Protests
After the deployment of National Guard troops by President Donald Trump in Los Angeles, which sparked further protests, California's Governor Gavin Newsom stated that he had convened with local and state officials to address the situation. The unrest began following raids by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, which resulted in the arrest of numerous undocumented immigrants. In response to the escalating protests, Trump sent 2,000 National Guard members to restore order.
Newsom shared on X, "I am meeting with local and state officials to strategize on maintaining peace in Los Angeles. Together, we are working to rectify the situation created by Trump and ensure the safety of our communities." Earlier, California initiated legal action against the Trump administration, seeking a court ruling to deem the National Guard's deployment unconstitutional and to prevent any further troop mobilizations.
In reaction to the lawsuit, a spokesperson from the White House remarked that Governor Newsom should focus on prosecuting "anti-ICE rioters" instead of suing the administration. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly criticized Newsom, stating, "It’s unfortunate that he is more concerned with his image than with supporting law enforcement and holding criminals accountable. As the President mentioned, Newsom should express gratitude for the restoration of law and order."
During a press briefing, California Attorney General Rob Bonta condemned Trump's decision to federalize the state's National Guard, labeling it as "unnecessary, counterproductive, and illegal." Bonta noted that this lawsuit marks California's 24th legal challenge against the Trump administration in just 19 weeks. He argued that Trump's actions overstep federal authority, infringing upon the 10th Amendment and federal law, as they were executed without Governor Newsom's consent and contrary to local law enforcement's preferences.
Bonta emphasized that the order "misused federal authority and violated the 10th Amendment and federal law," asserting that it was issued without Governor Newsom's approval and against local law enforcement's wishes. He also mentioned that Hegseth disregarded Newsom's plea to retract the deployment. In a post on X, Governor Newsom accused Trump of "instilling fear and terror to commandeer a state militia and breach the US Constitution."