Trump Federalizes California National Guard Against Governor's Objections Amid Immigration Protests

President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to respond to protests following Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, doing so without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Legal experts note that while presidents can federalize a state's National Guard without a governor's approval, the troops are generally limited to support roles and cannot perform law enforcement duties. This action marks the first time in 60 years a president has federalized a National Guard force against a governor's wishes, with the last comparable instance occurring in 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson deployed troops to protect civil rights marchers in Alabama. Governor Newsom criticized President Trump for inflaming tensions, even as he agreed that violent protesters should be held accountable. Historical context highlights that federal military involvement in state protests has occurred in other periods of civil unrest, such as after the Rodney King verdict in 1992 and during the 1960s civil rights movement. The situation has sparked significant debate about the balance of power between federal and state authorities and the appropriate use of military forces in domestic protests.