JUST IN: California Says Trump’s Deployment Of National Guard Violates State Sovereignty – Politico
“There was no communication through our office, period, full stop. So, by definition, it’s an illegal act,” Newsom told Politico.
The state’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, a Democrat, unveiled on Monday the basis for the lawsuit, which he said would be filed imminently. The state will ask a federal judge to “set aside” Trump’s Saturday move to “federalize” California’s National Guard troops, part of an order to defend federal property and personnel carrying out Trump’s deportation policies.
Bonta maintained that this specific legal provision requires the governor’s consent. “The governor’s agreement and consent need to be part of any calling in of the National Guard. That didn’t happen,” the attorney general explained.
Newsom, a Democrat, stated there was a complete lack of consultation from the president’s administration, rendering the action unlawful. “There was no communication through our office, period, full stop. So, by definition, it’s an illegal act,” Newsom declared, further claiming the president failed to meet other necessary conditions for the deployment.
State Attorney General Rob Bonta contended that Trump’s decision violated both federal law and the 10th Amendment, which safeguards state sovereignty and rights under the Constitution. Speaking at a press conference Monday, Bonta argued that Trump’s directive bypassed several logical and reasonable steps, resulting in an escalation of civil unrest and an infringement upon California’s autonomy. Bonta said Trump’s order “skipped over multiple rational, commonsense” steps and wound up escalating the unrest while trampling on California’s sovereignty.
Trump invoked a federal statute granting the president authority to deploy the National Guard under specific circumstances, including quelling a “rebellion or danger of a rebellion” and assisting in the enforcement of federal laws when “regular forces” are insufficient.
Bonta maintained that this specific legal provision requires the governor’s consent. “The governor’s agreement and consent needs to be part of any calling in of the National Guard. That didn’t happen,” the attorney general explained.
Trump has consistently described the Los Angeles demonstrations as being incited by “insurrectionists” and has pledged to “liberate” the city.
Conversely, Bonta and Newsom assert that the situation on the streets had largely calmed before Trump’s deployment order and inflammatory remarks reignited the protests.