Newsom battles Trump over National Guard in LA
California National Guard troops were deployed Sunday to Los Angeles streets to support law enforcement amid protests sparked by the Trump administration's immigration policies.
The measure was deemed illegal by California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who announced his intention to challenge the White House's decision in court, Reuters reported.
The White House justified the military presence as necessary to protect federal buildings and personnel amid increasingly tense protests. According to U.S. Northern Command, approximately 300 National Guard members were deployed to three locations in the Los Angeles metropolitan area with a limited mission to protect federal assets and employees.
The three-day protests saw clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. The Los Angeles Police Department declared several gatherings "unlawful," citing instances of protesters throwing dangerous objects, including bottles and concrete fragments. In one incident, several Waymo autonomous vehicles were set ablaze in downtown Los Angeles.
In a social media post, President Donald Trump urged authorities to act tough against the demonstrators, labeling them "violent insurgent mobs" and threatening a potential deployment of active-duty troops. "They spit, we hit," he told reporters, referring to attacks on law enforcement.
Governor Newsom categorically rejected the measure, arguing it violates state sovereignty and contravenes provisions of Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which stipulates that federal deployment of the National Guard requires the governor's consent. "These are the actions of a dictator, not a president," Newsom wrote on X, accusing the Trump administration of intentionally creating conditions for escalating tensions.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated the troops would ensure protection around government buildings and support the peaceful conduct of protests. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the violence but criticized the White House's decision to send the National Guard, deeming it provocative.
According to authorities, at least 39 people have been arrested in connection with the protests. The FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect who allegedly injured a federal officer during a rock-throwing attack on a police car in the suburb of Paramount.
Tensions have been fueled by recent ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) operations, which aim to deport a record number of migrants, including those with legal residency status. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the U.S. actions, stating, "The migration problem will not be solved through raids and violence, but through comprehensive reforms."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
