California Sues Trump Over “Illegal” Takeover of National Guard Amid Los Angeles Protests
“Donald Trump is creating fear and terror by failing to adhere to the U.S. Constitution and overstepping his authority."
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a high-stakes legal clash that could test the limits of presidential power, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit today against President Donald Trump, challenging his federalization of the California National Guard to quell protests in Los Angeles.
Filed in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, the lawsuit argues that President Trump’s invocation of Title 10 to place 2,000 National Guard troops under federal control violates constitutional protections and improperly overrides the authority of the state’s commander-in-chief.
“Donald Trump is creating fear and terror by failing to adhere to the U.S. Constitution and overstepping his authority. This is a manufactured crisis to allow him to take over a state militia, damaging the very foundation of our republic. Every governor, red or blue, should reject this outrageous overreach," Newsom said in the press release announcing the lawsuit. "This is beyond incompetence — this is him intentionally causing chaos, terrorizing communities, and endangering the principles of our great democracy. It is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism. We will not let this stand.”
Attorney General Bonta, who co-signed the lawsuit, pushed backed on claims made by Trump and other members of his administration.
"Let me be clear: There is no invasion. There is no rebellion. The President is trying to manufacture chaos and crisis on the ground for his own political ends," Bonta said in the statement. "Federalizing the California National Guard is an abuse of the President’s authority under the law– and not one we take lightly. We’re asking a court to put a stop to the unlawful, unprecedented order.”
Seizing on what critics say is hypocricy of Trump and allies, the press release included a 2020 tweet from Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. IN that tweet, Ms. Hoem criticized the idea of federal authorities seizing s state National Guard unit.
If Joe Biden federalizes the National Guard, that would be a direct attack on states' rights.
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) February 6, 2024
Over the last several years, we've seen Democrats try to take away our Freedoms of religion, assembly, and speech. We can't let them take away our right to defend ourselves, too.
South… pic.twitter.com/99kBxceA5k
Neither Trump or his supporters have formally responded to the lawsuit, although it is a good bet the president will skewer Newsom and Bonta on his Truth social media platform.
