LOS ANGELES, Vesud — California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday that the state is filing a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, challenging what he described as an “unlawful” order to federalize the California National Guard during the weekend’s immigration protests in Los Angeles.
The lawsuit, expected to be filed later Monday, seeks a court ruling to block Trump’s directive, which deployed approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to the city without the consent of Governor Gavin Newsom.
Federalizing the Guard Without Consent
Bonta accused Trump of overstepping legal boundaries and infringing upon California’s sovereignty. “The President is attempting to manufacture crisis and chaos to serve his own political ends,” Bonta said during a press briefing. “Federalizing the California National Guard in this context is not only unprecedented—it is illegal.”
According to Bonta, this is the first time a president has deployed the National Guard without a governor’s approval since 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to Alabama to protect civil rights marchers. The only other use of the same legal authority came in 1970, when President Nixon activated the Guard to handle postal duties during a strike.
“Crucial Resources Diverted During Wildfire Season”
In his statement, Bonta emphasized the strain placed on California’s emergency response capabilities. “This deployment pulls vital resources from wildfire readiness during a season when every second matters,” he noted.
He also said the president’s decision escalated tensions on the ground. “Before the announcement, the protests were winding down. After Trump’s federal order, the situation in Los Angeles rapidly deteriorated.”
Trump Defends Deployment as Necessary
The White House defended the move, calling it essential to curbing “lawlessness” and protecting federal agents amid a wave of demonstrations targeting immigration raids.
“We did the right thing,” Trump told reporters on Monday. “The city would be burning down if we hadn’t stepped in.” He also suggested Governor Newsom secretly welcomed the move, adding, “I think Gavin, in his own way, is probably glad we got involved.”
Newsom and Bonta: “Manufactured Crisis”
Governor Gavin Newsom has strongly rejected the deployment, labeling it a “political spectacle” and accusing the former president of inciting unrest to justify crackdowns.
“He’s hoping for chaos so he can justify more fear and more control,” Newsom posted Sunday on X (formerly Twitter). “Stay peaceful,” he urged demonstrators.
The protests began in response to intensified immigration enforcement across Democratic-led cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. Tensions boiled over during the weekend with footage surfacing of looting, vehicles set ablaze, and aggressive exchanges between protesters and police.
Military Presence Expands Amid Civil Unrest
As of Monday, approximately 300 National Guard troops were active in Los Angeles, primarily stationed to protect federal buildings and personnel. Two senior defense officials told NBC News that 700 U.S. Marines have also been mobilized to support the Guard while additional reinforcements arrive.
Meanwhile, Trump praised the Guard’s performance on Truth Social, stating they had done a “job well done” even before their deployment. He also warned demonstrators on Monday that if anyone spit on a Guard member, “they will be hit harder than they’ve ever been hit before.”
“Such disrespect will not be tolerated!” he wrote in a follow-up post.
Legal and Political Stakes Ahead
Bonta’s lawsuit adds another legal front for Trump, whose second presidential term continues to draw controversy for its immigration tactics and sweeping pardons. On his first day in office, Trump issued over 1,500 pardons, including for individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riots.
The court battle may set a precedent on executive limits when it comes to federalizing state military forces. “The Constitution is clear: the president cannot override state control without a lawful basis,” Bonta concluded. “We are standing up not just for California, but for the rule of law itself.”
