California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration Monday over the unprecedented deployment of the state’s National Guard to Los Angeles, calling the move an “unlawful” escalation amid protests against immigration raids.
The decision came hours after President Trump suggested arresting Newsom for obstructing federal enforcement, intensifying a constitutional clash between state and federal authorities.
Approximately 300 National Guard troops arrived in Los Angeles Sunday under Trump’s orders—marking the first presidential deployment without state consent since Lyndon Johnson sent troops to Alabama in 1965. While federal law permits such action during “rebellion or danger of rebellion,” Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta argue no such conditions existed. Bonta emphasized that local law enforcement had contained the protests before the deployment, calling the move an “unnecessary escalation”. The state’s lawsuit seeks to rescind Trump’s order and block further troop mobilizations.
Responding to border czar Tom Homan’s earlier threat to arrest officials obstructing immigration enforcement, Trump told reporters: “I would do it if I were Tom. I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity.” Newsom swiftly condemned the remark as “an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism,” while former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi labeled it “a hallmark of authoritarianism”. Homan later clarified no arrest plans were underway but accused Newsom of “failing the state” by delaying an unlawful assembly declaration.
Four days of demonstrations erupted after ICE arrested 44 people in Los Angeles neighborhoods Friday. Clashes peaked Sunday when protesters blocked the 101 Freeway, prompting California Highway Police to disperse crowds with flash-bangs, set fire to multiple self-driving Waymo vehicles, forcing the company to suspend service amid toxic smoke concerns erected barricades near federal buildings, leading to 56 arrests by Monday. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell condemned the violence as “disgusting” but stressed local forces needed no federal reinforcement.
Democrats framed the Guard deployment as a political stunt to advance Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”—legislation funding border security, tax cuts, and Medicaid reductions. Vice President JD Vance retorted, “Do your job. That’s all we’re asking”. Meanwhile, Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene demanded even more troops, calling protesters “insurrectionists,” while Democrats warned of “martial law” tactics. The city of Glendale, California, severed its ICE detention contract Monday, citing divisiveness despite “careful management”.