Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) requested that the Trump administration revoke its order deploying 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles, arguing it is an “unlawful” and “serious breach of state sovereignty.”
In a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Newsom said Trump’s presidential memorandum from Saturday night was not issued through the “governor of the State,” arguing that is unlawful under federal law.
“The Department of Defense did not transmit this directive to the Office of the Governor, nor was it approved or ordered by the Governor of California. This directive is also inconsistent with the President’s memorandum, which anticipates ‘coordinat[ion] with the Governors of the States’ in identifying and ordering units of the National Guard into federal service,” the letter said.
Newsom continued to blast the National Guard deployment in the letter, saying it “risks seriously escalating” law enforcement’s work controlling the Los Angeles protests.
“In dynamic and fluid situations such as the one in Los Angeles, State and local authorities are the most appropriate ones to evaluate the need for resources to safeguard life and property. Indeed, the decision to deploy the National Guard, without appropriate training or orders, risks seriously escalating the situation,” the letter added.
“Accordingly, we ask that you immediately rescind your order and return the National Guard to its rightful control by the State of California, to be deployed as appropriate when necessary,” the letter concluded.
The National Guard arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday morning as the violent protests continued on Sunday.
Local reports indicated that the Los Angeles Police Department was making multiple arrests on Sunday afternoon as protesters threw rocks and bottles at officers. Police have used flashbangs, tear gas, pepper spray, and other crowd control devices to combat the protests.
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This is a developing story.