California has sued the Trump administration for its deployment of the state National Guard to Los Angeles amidst protests over federal immigration enforcement, calling the action "an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism."
Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday that they had filed a lawsuit to stop what they called the "illegal and unnecessary takeover" of California's National Guard. In their view, the federal intervention has merely instigated unrest and raised violence throughout the Los Angeles region.
Against President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the United States Department of Defense, the court complaint maintains that the federal government has acted beyond constitutional powers. The suit alleges the deployment is unlawful under the U.S. Constitution and abusing Title 10 powers, mainly as it happened without the legally mandated consultation or the approval of the state governor, as pointed out in a press release from the governor's office on Monday, according to Xinhua news agency.
The protests were triggered by increased immigration enforcement efforts. Immigration enforcement officials have in recent times focused their efforts in Democratic-led cities, of which Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York are prominent among them.
Clashes escalated sharply last Friday after some protesters began hurling things, prompting law enforcers to respond with pepper balls and flash-bang grenades.
In response to the unrest, Trump instructed 2,000 National Guard troops to be deployed on Saturday. On Sunday, the protests intensified further, with greater numbers and more aggressive confrontations between police and demonstrators.
"President Trump's directive summoning federalised National Guard troops into Los Angeles — in defiance of the Governor and local law enforcement — is unneeded and counterproductive," Bonta said on Monday.
"The President is attempting to create chaos and crisis on the ground for political purposes. Federalising the California National Guard is an abuse of the President's power under law — one we do not take lightly. We're seeking a court to stop the illegal, unprecedented order," he further stated.
Governor Newsom condemned the deployment as a "manufactured crisis," blaming Trump for creating a manufactured scare and destabilization by bringing up democratic values.
"It is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism. We will not let this stand," Newsom affirmed.
After the legal challenge, Trump reacted on social media, threatening retaliation by his administration if protesters were disrespectful to National Guard members.
"I guarantee you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before," he wrote. "Such disrespect is not allowed!"
The President escalated on Monday, calling for Governor Newsom to be arrested. Newsom responded through social media, stating, "The President of the United States has just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor. This is a day I hoped I would never live to see in America."
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