In a bold move, California Governor Gavin Newsom has formally requested President Trump to remove the National Guard troops from Los Angeles, citing the deployment as “unlawful” and a violation of state sovereignty. This request comes amidst escalating tensions in L.A. following protests against Trump’s immigration policies and rumors of a hardware store raid.
The clash between Trump and Newsom centers around the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of military forces for law enforcement purposes within the United States. While Trump argues that the National Guard deployment is necessary to maintain order in the face of protests, Newsom asserts that it infringes on the rights of Californians and undermines the state’s authority.
Protesters in downtown L.A. have clashed with law enforcement, with hundreds taking to the streets to voice their opposition to Trump’s immigration sweeps. The situation escalated further when driverless Waymo cars were set on fire during the protests, adding to the chaos and unrest in the city.
In response to the escalating tensions, Trump has deployed an additional 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles, further intensifying the standoff between the federal government and the state of California. The situation remains volatile, with both sides digging in their heels and refusing to back down.
As the standoff continues, the implications of this conflict go beyond just L.A. It raises questions about the balance of power between the federal government and the states, as well as the limits of presidential authority in domestic matters. The outcome of this clash could have far-reaching consequences for the relationship between Washington D.C. and state governments across the country.
References:
– NYT > Top Stories, “Newsom Formally Asks Trump to Pull National Guard Out of L.A.”, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/newsom-formally-asks-trump-to-pull-national-guard-out-of-la.html
– Fox News, “Posse Comitatus Act at center of Trump-Newsom National Guard dispute in LA”, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/posse-comitatus-act-center-trump-newsom-national-guard-dispute-la
– Google News, “Live updates: Driverless Waymo cars set on fire amid protests in downtown LA”, https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxPNnROcVRXa21ENlNHREF1ZkNPamNUcTVEd3V4cFNlWEx0ZG8xbVNJYzMwNXBfTi1OVVNtVEVSY2tFV091d3A2WHJ1STg1RWJRb29sSGZYa1BGQnJpTHRkU3lQVDlVV05RODVYNFluck1MeWNYOEJjaFllaFEtVmRWNS0xcENzZGVGY3NZRkhmcWRtemxwLTJKVW5IckI3LW0xRXhVMHhGeWZHd28
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