Today's News: California Sues Trump Over Federalization of National Guard

California officials argue the move violated constitutional and statutory limits, particularly the Tenth Amendment and laws governing National Guard activation.

Photo: US Northern Command via CNN

Overview

• Date: June 9, 2025

• Topic: California Sues Trump Over Federalization of National Guard During Immigration Protests

• Summary: California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles without Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent. The deployment followed anti-ICE protests that turned violent. California officials argue the move violated constitutional and statutory limits, particularly the Tenth Amendment and laws governing National Guard activation. Trump’s administration claims the action was necessary to protect federal agents and property. The situation has escalated tensions between state and federal authorities, prompting legal and political backlash.

Sources

• The New York Times – California Lawsuit Challenges Trump’s Order Sending National Guard to L.A.

• CNN – Why Trump’s move toward using the military on US soil is so fraught

• NBC News – California attorney general sues Trump over 'unlawful' National Guard order

• Fox News – Dozens of anti-ICE rioters arrested in LA as Trump sends in National Guard to quell violence

• The Washington Post – California sues Trump over National Guard deployment to Los Angeles

• The Wall Street Journal – California Sues Trump Over National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles

Key Points

• Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles without the governor’s consent, citing a need to control unrest related to immigration raids.

• California Attorney General Rob Bonta argues the move violates the Tenth Amendment and lacks legal justification under Title 10.

• The deployment bypassed required coordination with the state’s governor, an action described as a breach of state sovereignty.

• Newsom and Bonta accuse the Trump administration of manufacturing chaos for political gain.

• Federal law typically requires state consent unless the Insurrection Act is invoked, which it was not.

• Protests escalated with violence, arson, and highway blockades, prompting divergent reactions from media and political figures.

Unique Highlights

• CNN: Provides polling data showing Americans approve of deportation goals but disapprove of Trump’s methods; draws parallels to the Lafayette Square 2020 incident.

• Fox News: Details specific charges against protesters, including arson and attempted murder; describes protest tactics such as torching self-driving cars.

• The New York Times: Notes this is the first unilateral federal troop deployment in 60 years and includes legal nuance regarding the cited statute vs. the Insurrection Act.

• The Wall Street Journal: Emphasizes California’s concerns about National Guard readiness for wildfire season and quotes legal scholars on federalism.

• NBC News: Notes this statute was last used by Nixon in 1970 for a postal strike; highlights White House claims of “lawlessness.”

• The Washington Post: Mentions growing legal challenges from California and Democratic governors’ joint condemnation of Trump’s move.

Contrasting Details

• Fox News portrays the protests as violent and lawless, emphasizing criminal behavior and the necessity of the National Guard.

• CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post stress legal and constitutional overreach, suggesting the protests were largely peaceful until provoked.

• CNN and The New York Times highlight public opinion’s mixed stance—approval of immigration enforcement, disapproval of military use.

• NBC News and The Wall Street Journal report that the law used by Trump has limited precedent and typically requires more extreme conditions than those seen in L.A.

• Fox News frames the federal response as necessary protection; The Washington Post and CNN argue it may incite more unrest.

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