California sues Trump over troop order as tensions escalate

California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump on Monday, challenging the federal deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles. Newsom called it a “manufactured crisis” and a threat to constitutional limits on presidential power.

The legal action follows Trump’s controversial suggestion that his border czar, Tom Homan, should arrest Newsom for opposing federal immigration enforcement efforts. "I would do it," Trump said during a June 9 appearance, branding Newsom “grossly incompetent.”

Newsom responded by calling the comments a “threat to democracy,” warning that the president’s actions were edging toward authoritarianism. “This is a day I hoped I would never see in America,” he posted on X.

The dispute centers on Trump’s federalization of California’s National Guard during protests against immigration raids. While presidents can federalize Guard troops, using them for direct civilian law enforcement without invoking the Insurrection Act is legally limited—something Trump has not done.

Tensions intensified after Homan threatened arrests for officials obstructing federal immigration efforts, a threat Newsom openly challenged. Meanwhile, DHS has sought the activation of 20,000 National Guard members under state authority for immigration support.

Photo:AFP