California sues Trump administration over deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles

California sues Trump administration over deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles

California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that the state will file a lawsuit against the Trump administration for deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles without the governor's consent. The lawsuit stems from the weekend's immigration-related protests that turned violent, with the deployment of the National Guard to control the situation.

The unrest began Friday in downtown Los Angeles following large-scale immigration enforcement operations. The protests escalated over the weekend, leading to clashes between law enforcement and protesters. The National Guard was deployed Sunday to confront the protesters, with images showing members using tear gas and non-lethal ammunition. By evening, 39 people had been arrested [2].

Governor Newsom has accused President Trump of "escalating the situation" and called the deployment "purposefully inflammatory." Newsom has requested that the federal government rescind the deployment of troops to Los Angeles, stating that there is "no need" for the National Guard. In a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Newsom argued that the deployment was a "serious breach of state sovereignty" [2].

The deployment appears to be the first time in decades that a state's National Guard was activated without a request from its governor. The last similar incident occurred in 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to protect a civil rights march in Alabama [1].

Trump, in response, has defended the deployment, stating that there are "violent people" in Los Angeles and that he will send U.S. troops to the city if necessary. He has also accused the Los Angeles Police Department of failing to help federal authorities when protests broke out [1].

The lawsuit is expected to challenge the legality of the National Guard deployment, arguing that it was an illegal and immoral act. The Trump administration has not yet responded to the lawsuit, but White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson has criticized Newsom's claims that there was no problem in Los Angeles before Trump got involved [1].

The lawsuit comes at a time when tensions between the federal government and state authorities are high, with California and other states often at odds with the Trump administration's policies. The legal battle is expected to be closely watched by investors and financial professionals, as it could have implications for federal-state relations and law enforcement strategies.

References:
[1] https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-protests-national-guard-trump-14c9dda32663d7d2c45f2b1c5a1d219c
[2] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-national-guard-california-lawsuit-gavin-newsom/
[3] https://time.com/7292191/trump-newsom-national-guard-california-los-angeles-protests-legal-challenge/