California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the federal deployment of the state’s National Guard in Los Angeles amid escalating protests against immigration enforcement raids.
Calling the move “an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism,” the state leadership alleges that the deployment was not only unauthorized but also unnecessary, and has further inflamed tensions in an already volatile situation. The lawsuit, announced Monday, names former President Donald Trump, then-Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the Department of Defense. It claims the federal government’s actions violate the U.S. Constitution and exceed presidential authority under Title 10, citing the lack of required consultation or consent from the state governor.
“President Trump’s order federalizing California’s National Guard troops — against the express objections of both the Governor and local law enforcement — is unnecessary and counterproductive,” said Attorney General Bonta.
“It’s an abuse of power designed to manufacture chaos for political gain. We’re taking this to court to halt an unlawful and unprecedented overreach.”
The controversy stems from a wave of protests that erupted in response to aggressive federal immigration raids, particularly in Democratic strongholds like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. Tensions spiked over the weekend after Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles. Demonstrations intensified, with confrontations between law enforcement and protesters turning increasingly violent. Governor Newsom denounced the move as a “manufactured crisis”, accusing Trump of deliberately escalating unrest for political theater.
“This isn’t about public safety. It’s about power and fear. The President is terrorizing communities and endangering the core principles of our democracy,” Newsom stated.
“This is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism — and we will not let it stand.” Trump responded aggressively on social media, warning protesters against confronting National Guard members and suggesting retaliation for any disrespect. He also made a provocative statement suggesting Governor Newsom should be arrested, prompting sharp backlash.
“The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor,” Newsom responded online. “This is a day I hoped I would never see in America.” As legal proceedings begin, the lawsuit sets the stage for a fierce battle between state sovereignty and federal authority, highlighting deepening political divides in the lead-up to a highly polarized election season.
