Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit Tuesday (June 10) against President Donald Trump over his decision to send U.S. Marines and National Guard troops into Los Angeles to manage escalating protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The legal challenge from California Governor Gavin Newsom aims to block federal troops from enforcing immigration laws, accusing the White House of overstepping its authority.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, argues that the president’s use of active-duty military in domestic law enforcement violates the Posse Comitatus Act. Newsom said the move was “an illegal and dangerous escalation” of federal power.
“Donald Trump is creating fear and terror by failing to adhere to the U.S. Constitution and overstepping his authority. This is a manufactured crisis to allow him to take over a state militia, damaging the very foundation of our republic. Every governor, red or blue, should reject this outrageous overreach. This is beyond incompetence — this is him intentionally causing chaos, terrorizing communities, and endangering the principles of our great democracy. It is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism. We will not let this stand,” Newsom said in a statement.
The legal action comes after President Trump ordered military personnel to Los Angeles in response to what he described as “violent and destructive” protests targeting ICE facilities.
Demonstrations have surged across the country in recent weeks, fueled by outrage over immigration raids and detention practices.
President Trump defended the deployment.
“If our troops didn’t go into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now, just like so much of their housing burned to the ground. The great people of Los Angeles are very lucky that I made the decision to go in and help,” President Trump said.
The president also claimed that local officials had “lost control” and accused the state of “harboring lawlessness.”
The troops arrived in Los Angeles late Monday night with armored vehicles stationed near key government buildings. Protesters clashed with law enforcement near downtown, but no significant injuries were reported.
Newsom’s lawsuit argues that Trump’s order violates both the Constitution and federal law by using military force for domestic policing without state consent.
Legal experts believe the case could set a precedent for the extent to which a president can deploy troops within the United States’ borders.
The Department of Defense confirmed that approximately 1,200 Marines and 800 National Guard troops have been mobilized in response to the president’s directive.
The Pentagon stated the mission is “limited in scope and duration.”
Demonstrators have also gathered in cities such as Chicago, New York and Atlanta.
Tensions could hit a boiling point over the weekend when President Trump celebrates his birthday and the 250th anniversary of the army with a massive military parade in Washington, DC.
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