California is suing the Trump administration over its federalization of the state’s National Guard, alleging the move to deploy some 2,000 troops across the state without the approval of the governor or local law enforcement is unlawful, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday, June 9.
Bonta, who said the lawsuit would be filed later Monday afternoon, called the Trump administration’s move unlawful and unnecessary.
If local law enforcement officials — who have been responding to wide-scale demonstrations since the federal government ramped up immigration enforcement efforts in the L.A. area — needed more help, then there were other steps to take to bring in that aid, Bonta said.
“We don’t take lightly to the president abusing his authority and unlawfully mobilizing California National Guard troops,” Bonta told reporters.
At least 300 National Guard troops have been deployed to Los Angeles to respond to immigration protests, though Trump has said as many as 2,000 would be mobilized in California.
Bonta said it was “highly likely” that the Trump administration would deploy the full 2,000 over the 60 days the president’s order is in effect.
Trump has federalized part of California’s National Guard under what is known as Title 10 authority, which places him atop the chain of command rather than Newsom. The order instructs National Guard troops to play a supporting role by protecting ICE officers as they enforce the law, rather than having the troops perform law enforcement work.
Trump has said that federalizing the troops was necessary to “address the lawlessness” in California.
“We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social account on Monday, June 9. “If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated.”
Trump said Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass should be thankful to the federal government for its handling of the California National Guard.
“We will always do what is needed to keep our citizens safe,” Trump added.
But Newsom, a Democrat, has said the Trump administration’s move was “purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.” That sentiment was echoed by Bonta, who is also a Democrat, in his press conference announcing the lawsuit.
“California local law enforcement are prepared, they’re trained,” Bonta said. “They know how to do their jobs and know when to call in backup,” including if it is necessary to call upon the state’s National Guard.
The lawsuit, Bonta’s office said, alleges that the federalization is unlawful, given that Newsom was not given the opportunity to give consent for the move.
The lawsuit also alleged that the federalization of the National Guard deprives California of resources it may need to protect its resident and infringes on Newsom’s role as commander-in-chief of the California National Guard.
“President Trump’s order calling (for) federalized National Guard troops into Los Angeles — over the objections of the governor and local law enforcement — is unnecessary and counterproductive,” Bonta said. “It’s also deeply unfair to the members of the National Guard who are hard at work every day protecting our state, preparing for and responding to emergencies and training so that, if called, they can fight our nation’s wars.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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