Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines have been placed on alert to support U.S. Northern Command and are set to deploy to the greater Los Angeles area on June 9. This deployment follows President Donald Trump’s authorization to send an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to the city, a move that has sparked significant backlash. California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized the deployment, arguing that it plays into Trump’s desire for ego-stroking rather than addressing public safety concerns. In a post on social media platform X, Newsom labeled the move as “Reckless. Pointless. And Disrespectful to our troops.”
The Defense Department mobilized 700 Marines to support the California National Guard earlier on Monday, which had already been deployed to assist during protests related to federal immigration enforcement. This temporary mobilization aims to bolster the presence of troops while awaiting additional National Guard personnel to arrive in Los Angeles. Newsom expressed frustration over the deployment of the initial 2,000 National Guard troops, claiming they were provided with “no food or water,” and that only approximately 300 were actively engaged, with the remainder remaining idle in federal buildings.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has condemned the mobilization of military forces. Hina Shamsi, director of the ACLU’s National Security Project, called the actions taken by Trump “escalatory and inflammatory,” questioning whether stationed Marines possess the necessary training to manage protests while respecting constitutional rights.
Tensions escalated further on Monday when Trump suggested that Governor Newsom could face arrest for allegedly obstructing federal immigration enforcement. This comment came in response to threats from Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, who hinted at arresting Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Newsom countered Trump’s remarks on social media, expressing disbelief that a sitting president would call for the arrest of a governor.
In response to the deployment, Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn Trump’s federalization of the California National Guard. They assert that the president’s actions lack legal grounding and infringe on Newsom’s role as commander-in-chief of the state’s guard. Bonta emphasized that Trump’s order exceeds his authority and claimed there is neither an invasion nor rebellion justifying this mobilization.
Meanwhile, the political landscape grows more complicated as federal prosecutors charged labor leader David Huerta with conspiracy for his alleged actions during protests in Los Angeles. Huerta, president of SEIU California, was arrested last week and appeared in federal court, where he was released on bond with orders to avoid federal agents.
Newsom has urged Trump to withdraw the National Guard from areas of demonstrated unrest, criticizing the president’s deployment as part of a larger scheme disconnected from the realities on the ground. “This isn’t about L.A., per se. It’s about everyone watching tomorrow,” he stated.
Trump defended the deployment, asserting that deploying the National Guard was essential to managing “violent, instigated riots” in California, claiming Los Angeles would be “obliterated” without the presence of troops. Reacting to this, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer argued that the deployment was unnecessary and serves as a distraction from Trump’s various challenges, calling for an immediate withdrawal of the troops.
As the situation continues to unfold, both sides remain firmly entrenched in their positions, underlining the complexities of federal-state relations during times of civil unrest.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/09/trump-sued-national-guard-la-california-newsom.html
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Publish Date: 2025-06-10 06:07:00
