Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a lawsuit against President Trump and the Department of Defense, challenging the federal takeover of a California National Guard unit. The legal action seeks to block what they describe as an illegal militarization of Los Angeles.
The lawsuit argues that President Trump’s actions threaten all states, not just California. On June 7, Trump issued a memorandum authorizing the Department of Defense to call up 2,000 National Guard personnel into federal service for 60 days. The order declared a “form of rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States” and directed coordination with state governors and National Guards to commandeer state militias.
Governor Newsom claims he was not given an opportunity to consent to this federalization, which is required by law. “The President’s unlawful order infringes on Governor Newsom’s role as Commander-in-Chief of the California National Guard,” stated in the press release.
The situation in Los Angeles did not meet criteria for such federalization, according to local authorities who maintained control over protests without needing additional military presence. Critics argue that deploying military forces exacerbated tensions rather than alleviating them.
Furthermore, concerns are raised about diverting resources from essential tasks like emergency response and drug interdiction. The January 2025 firestorm in Los Angeles highlighted Cal Guard’s critical role in emergencies.
Governor Newsom described Trump’s actions as “an unmistakable step towards authoritarianism,” emphasizing democratic principles at risk due to these measures.
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