After President Donald Trump deployed California National Guard troops in Los Angeles Sunday over the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom, California is moving to sue the federal government on the grounds that the president acted unlawfully.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Monday that the state seeks an injunction to halt the president’s 60-day federalization of National Guard troops. The president deployed the troops — typically under joint state and federal control — without the approval from state officials by invoking a statute in federal law that lists three specific conditions when the National Guard can come under federal authority. Trump also authorized on Monday the mobilization of 700 active-duty Marines in L.A.
But Bonta argues that the clashes over the weekend between federal immigration enforcement agents and demonstrators protesting against immigration raids did not meet the standard for any of the conditions, and that Trump’s order was “unnecessary, unhelpful and counterproductive.” This is the state’s 24th lawsuit against Trump’s second administration.
- Bonta: “Activating these (National Guard) troops for protests that local law enforcement had confirmed at the time were under control is deeply unfair and disrespectful of their service and sacrifice. It pulls them away from critical work that needs and requires their immediate attention.”
Newsom called for the withdrawal of troops Sunday in a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Defense. The letter has gone unanswered according to Bonta, though Tom Homan, Trump’s appointed “border czar,” threatened to arrest those who impeded immigration enforcement efforts, including Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. On Monday Trump said he would support arresting Newsom.
State officials, meanwhile, appear to be unbothered by Homan and Trump’s statements.
- Bonta: “It’s just more talk, more bluff, more bluster. … It is the president that needs to put a mirror up to himself and realize that the unlawful actor here is him and his administration.”
Lawsuit tracker: CalMatters is tracking the lawsuits California is filing against the Trump administration. Check it out here.
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The end of a tacit truce
The skirmish between Trump and Newsom over federal immigration raids also underscores the already strained relationship between the two political leaderswhich appeared to briefly ease following the January L.A. County wildfires.
As CalMatters’ Alexei Koseff explains, during Newsom’s campaign for federal disaster aid, the governor evaded direct criticism of the president. Trump also stopped using the nickname “Newscum” at the time, and pledged that an “L.A. fire fix” was coming.
But as time wore on and wildfire aid had yet to cometensions between the two rose again — particularly over Trump’s tariff policies. Even before Trump deployed troops on Sunday, his administration was considering expansive cuts to federal funding for California, which prompted Newsom to publicly weigh withholding federal taxes.
Though this round of quarreling could help Newsom whip up support from his base, some political experts say it’s difficult to challenge Trump not only because the presidency itself wields a lot of power, but because Trump is particularly belligerent against those he views as political enemies.
- Matt Rodrigueza longtime Democratic consultant: “I just haven’t seen someone come out aggressive against Trump where it works. It’s a little bit like getting into a brick fight with the owner of the brickyard.”
The weekend’s ICE protests in pictures
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of L.A. over the weekend to protest immigration raids. Law enforcement, including the National Guard, responded in force. Photographers with CalMatters captured images of the historic protests. See more photos here.
And lastly: CA Legislature’s budget plan
To close California’s $12 billion shortfall, the Legislature released its state budget plan Monday, which differs from the governor’s plan in a few key ways. Find out what legislators are proposing from CalMatters’ reporters.
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New study shows huge groundwater losses along Colorado River // The Grist
ICE protest in SF: More than 150 arrested in chaotic demonstration against National Guard // San Francisco Chronicle
Fresno teachers union criticizes school district’s use of AI-generated documents // The Fresno Bee
Amid ICE raidsLA schools say they’ll protect students at graduation. But will their families come? // The 19th
Glendale ends ICE contractno longer holds detainees // Los Angeles Times
Former OC Supervisor Andrew Do sentenced to 60 months in prison // The Orange County Register
In a dusty corner of CATrump’s threatened cuts to asthma care raise fears // KFF Health News
