California sues Trump over National Guard deployment as migrant protests escalate

The state of California and Governor Gavin Newsom have filed a lawsuit against U.S. President Donald Trump over his deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid violent protests triggered by federal immigration raids.

The lawsuit, submitted to a federal court in San Francisco, accuses Trump of violating the Constitution and federal law by activating the military without the governor’s consent.

It calls the order an “unprecedented power grab” that threatens state sovereignty.

Trump defended the move, citing the 1807 Insurrection Act and saying parts of Los Angeles resembled an uprising.

He warned of further troop deployments and accused Newsom of incompetence.

The unrest began on June 6 after ICE detained dozens of undocumented migrants. Protests escalated, prompting the White House to deploy 2,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines.

Demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, leading to over 170 arrests nationwide.

Newsom called the federal actions illegal and authoritarian. LA Mayor Karen Bass condemned the raids as “needless and chaotic.” Meanwhile, DHS officials alleged that professional agitators were involved in organizing the violence.