Trump Federalizes National Guard Amid Widespread Protests, Facing Legal Challenges in California, Multiple Cities

President Donald Trump has taken the unprecedented step of federalizing California’s National Guard and deploying troops to Los Angeles without the governor's consent, citing escalating protests following ICE raids. This move has sparked legal action from California, with Governor Gavin Newsom and city officials like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticizing the intervention as unnecessary and politically motivated, arguing it has only escalated chaos. Trump is relying on Section 12406 of the U.S. Code to override state authority, a move not seen since 1965 and distinct from the 1992 Los Angeles riots deployment that was done at the governor's request. The deployment includes thousands of National Guard members and Marines tasked primarily with guarding federal buildings, but critics warn that militarizing the response to protests risks exacerbating tensions rather than restoring order. Observers note that this reflects a pattern in the current administration’s readiness to use military power against domestic dissent, contrasting with past presidential restraint in similar situations. This situation highlights the deepening conflict between federal and state authorities over immigration enforcement and civil unrest.