California Sues Trump Over Deployment of Troops to LA, Seeks Restraining Order

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The Governor of California has officially filed an emergency lawsuit against President Donald Trump and the Department of Defense, seeking an immediate restraining order to block the deployment of National Guard troops and US Marines to Los Angeles.

Getting into it: In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta argue that President Trump’s deployment of federalized National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles is both unlawful and unconstitutional. The lawsuit claims that the President violated federal law by activating the California National Guard without the Governor’s consent (a requirement under Title 10 of the US Code), which they say infringes upon the state’s sovereignty and escalates tensions in communities already on edge due to federal immigration raids.

1000w q95Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in a Title 10 status protects a Los Angeles Federal Building and federal personnel in Los Angeles, Calif., June 9, 2025. Approximately 2,000 National Guard forces are supporting the protection of federal personnel and federal property in the greater Los Angeles area. (Department of Defense photo by Capt. Alex Werden) 2

California also argues that the protests prompting the federal response have been largely peaceful and maintains that, while isolated incidents of violence occurred, no rebellion or insurrection would justify military intervention.

Despite the accusations from California officials, the Trump administration maintains that the deployment of federalized National Guard troops and US Marines to Los Angeles is both justified and necessary to preserve public safety. President Trump has defended the action by pointing to what he describes as increasingly volatile protests sparked by aggressive ICE operations in the city. He argues that without federal intervention, Los Angeles would face widespread chaos and destruction, drawing comparisons to recent natural disasters and prior civil unrest.

What they want: The state’s legal filing seeks a judge to immediately issue a temporary restraining order to prevent the troops from engaging in any law enforcement activities beyond federal grounds while the case proceeds. The Department of Defense has already pushed back on California’s request for a restraining order, asking the court for time to respond and insisting that the federal government has acted responsibly and within its constitutional bounds.

CA officials react: In a statement, Governor Newsom said, “The federal government is now turning the military against American citizens. Sending trained warfighters onto the streets is unprecedented and threatens the very core of our democracy. Donald Trump is behaving like a tyrant, not a President. We ask the court to immediately block these unlawful actions.”

Attorney General Bonta added, “The President is looking for any pretense to place military forces on American streets to intimidate and quiet those who disagree with him. It’s not just immoral — It’s illegal and dangerous. Local law enforcement, not the military, enforce the law within our borders. The President continues to inflame tensions and antagonize communities. We’re asking the court to immediately block the Trump Administration from ordering the military or federalized national guard from patrolling our communities or otherwise engaging in general law enforcement activities beyond federal property.”