He is suing President Donald Trump to stop his deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles. California Attorney General Rob Bonta was the official behind the lawsuit. The deployment is described as “unlawful” and the action as one that presents a grave threat to democratic values.
The lawsuit is filed as tensions have continued to boil over between Newsom and Trump. Newsom filed an emergency request aimed at blocking the Trump administration from utilizing military forces in conjunction with federal immigration enforcement operations throughout Los Angeles. The governor made clear he was deeply opposed. He continued, claiming that President Trump’s plan to deploy 4,000 troops from the National Guard represents an entire new level of deploying military forces against America’s own citizens.
In Newsom’s last communications with Trump, the president apparently told Newsom that he should “liberate Los Angeles,” instead of escaping his horrible governance. In response, Newsom conveyed on social media that he did not receive a voicemail from Trump, stating, “There was no call. Not even a voicemail.” His administration is making the necessary arrangements for the first deployment of 300 National Guard troops. This number is anticipated to increase 18% in the next five years alone.
Newsom’s opposition to the troop deployment resonates with Democratic governors across the nation, all of whom share similar concerns regarding the militarization of law enforcement. He stated, “The federal government is now turning the military against American citizens. Sending trained warfighters onto the streets is unprecedented and threatens the very core of our democracy.”
Details surrounding the governor’s legal confrontation with the Trump administration reveal far-reaching implications for civil liberties and for civil state-federal relations. Newsom cautioned that deploying federal military forces in Los Angeles without proper communication, coordination, and collaboration poses significant challenges and risks to local law enforcement. He noted the logistical and operational challenges this scenario poses.
“The arrival of federal military forces in Los Angeles, absent clear coordination, presents a significant logistical and operational challenge for those of us charged with safeguarding this city.” – Jim McDonnell
The deployment has sparked reactions beyond California. Rob Bonta explained that this type of action by the president serves to scare and silence anyone that would oppose him. He stated, “The president is looking for any pretense to place military forces on American streets to intimidate and quiet those who disagree with him.”
As tensions simmer, Newsom’s administration still seems focused on scrambling preparations for a possible surge of troops into Los Angeles. The governor’s concerns do highlight the real dangers of deploying military personnel to America’s cities. This decision may trigger further protests and alienate community trust in both their local and federal governments.
I know that the political climate is exceedingly divisive these days. On one side, Trump’s call for a much tougher immigration enforcement took fire from all directions. Many see this as an unprecedented attempt to rally his base in a bid to obstruct the Democratic wave coming in 2020 elections.
Newsom’s legal fight fits into a larger trend of national discussions over the impact of aggressive immigration enforcement on community safety. The governor touched on his personal commitment to making sure every American can live in a peaceful neighborhood. Yet, he is just as adamant that this security cannot come at the expense of our democratic values.
“Americans should be alarmed that a president deploying marines onto our streets doesn’t even know who he’s talking to.” – Gavin Newsom
The situation has escalated to where commentators suggest that the Trump administration’s actions may lead to an authoritarian precedent if left unchecked. Tied to the passage of the temporary gas tax increase, Newsom cautioned that this would set a perilous precedent for future governance.
Now that this legal battle is underway, both sides of the contentious dispute are digging in their heels. As Newsom and Bonta correctly point out, protecting civil liberties means ensuring local control over law enforcement. At the same time, Trump is claiming that federal intervention is needed to maintain law and order in places like Los Angeles.