California governor to sue Trump administration over national guard deployment In Response to California Protests

On June 9, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state would file a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the president’s decision to deploy the National Guard in response to ongoing unrest in California.

Newsom strongly criticised the move, calling it an “illegal, immoral and unconstitutional” action, Caliber.Az reports, citing US media.

He accused US President of worsening the situation rather than resolving it.

“Donald Trump has created the conditions you’ve seen on your TV tonight,” Newsom said.

“He’s exacerbated the conditions … ever since he announced he was taking over the National Guard. We’re going to test that theory with a lawsuit tomorrow.”

Tensions escalated further over the weekend when Trump’s immigration adviser, Tom Homan, said that immigration operations would continue in Los Angeles despite opposition from state and local leaders. Homan warned that anyone obstructing federal enforcement—naming Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass—could face arrest.

Newsom responded defiantly: “He’s a tough guy. Why doesn’t he do that? He knows where to find me. Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy. I don’t give a damn.”

The governor also dismissed Trump’s claims that the situation in Los Angeles had stabilised due to the deployment of federal forces. “He said in a tweet that everything is now safe,” Newsom said. “The Guard hadn’t even been deployed when he said this. He’s simply lying to people.”

Newsom argued that the federal order to send in the National Guard sidestepped established protocols that require consultation with state authorities. “They never coordinated with us,” he said. He noted that California has previously worked with the Guard for disaster response, logistics and public safety efforts, including during the George Floyd protests.

“There’s a process. He didn’t care about that,” Newsom added.

On social media, the governor urged protesters to remain peaceful, warning against violent provocation and unlawful behaviour.

“Los Angeles: don’t take Trump’s bait. Trump wants chaos, and he’s instigated violence. Those who assault law enforcement or cause property damage will risk arrest,” he posted.

Meanwhile, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem defended the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, stating it was done “at the direction of the president … to keep peace and allow people to be able to protest, but also to keep law and order.”

Speaking on Face the Nation, Noem said the troops are “specifically trained for this type of crowd situation” and are present to protect both peaceful demonstrators and federal and police personnel.

She criticised California Governor Gavin Newsom, arguing the unrest could have been avoided. “If Governor Newsom had done his job,” she said, “violent disturbances—including vehicles being burned and Molotov cocktails thrown—could’ve been prevented with state intervention.”

The protests erupted following ICE raids over the weekend and quickly escalated into violent clashes involving tear gas, arrests, and damage to property, according to CBS. The federal deployment of 2,000 National Guard members without a state request drew sharp criticism from Newsom, who called the move “purposefully inflammatory” and “unnecessary.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev