“A Serious Violation”: Newsom Criticizes Trump

The deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Los Angeles has sparked a strong reaction from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

In a sharply worded letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Newsom’s legal advisor David Sapp described the deployment as both “unnecessary” and “illegal”.

According to the governor, this is a deliberate disregard for the state’s authority.

“There is currently no need for the National Guard in Los Angeles, and doing so in this illegal manner for such an extended period is a serious violation of the state’s sovereignty,” Sapp wrote on behalf of the governor.

A Historical Breach

Trump’s decision to activate a state’s National Guard without the governor’s consent is unprecedented since Lyndon B. Johnson’s intervention in Alabama in 1965.

The unusual action has raised questions about constitutional powers and the state’s right to self-govern, particularly given that both state and local police were already present and handling the situation.

The protests, which erupted after a contentious immigration raid, had already drawn attention as demonstrators marched through the streets over the weekend with Mexican flags and signs, bringing traffic to a standstill.

On Sunday, the situation escalated when tear gas was used against a crowd near the newly arrived troops – although it remains unclear which authority was responsible.

Political Struggle Over Power

The high-profile troop deployment has sparked widespread political opposition, especially among Democratic governors, who see it as a dangerous precedent.

In a joint statement, they called Trump’s decision “ineffective and dangerous,” emphasizing that governors are the commanders-in-chief of their National Guard.

“This administration’s actions are not driven by a desire for safety but to instill fear. Fear of a society that demands dignity and legal protection,” said Kamala Harris, former vice president and potential candidate for California’s governor.

The relationship between Trump and Newsom, which previously showed signs of a fragile truce after the president’s visit following the wildfires, has significantly deteriorated.

Deploying troops without the state’s consent is perceived by many as a politically motivated move – and a symptom of escalating confrontation between Washington and Sacramento.

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