Trump vs. Newsom: National Guard Legal Battle Ignites Over California Protests

President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom are locked in a high-stakes legal battle over the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles, set to escalate in court next Tuesday. The clash follows a federal judge’s ruling that Trump’s activation of the Guard to counter anti-immigration enforcement protests was unlawful, a decision swiftly paused by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Judge Charles Breyer, a Clinton appointee, argued Trump’s move overstepped executive authority, prompting Newsom to accuse the president of using the military for political theater. Yet, the appellate court’s stay allows Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to maintain control of thousands of National Guard troops and Marines, deployed to protect federal assets amid recent riots targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities.

The Justice Department warns that curbing Trump’s military directives risks constitutional chaos, while legal experts question Breyer’s sweeping ruling, hinting at a deeper fight over presidential powers under Title 10. Some speculate Trump could invoke the Insurrection Act to sidestep judicial constraints, a move that could redefine executive authority.

This legal showdown coincides with Trump’s lavish military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary—and his own birthday. Critics, dubbing it “No Kings Day,” plan nationwide protests, with California bracing for dozens of demonstrations. Organizers like Ezra Levin vow a peaceful pushback, framing it as a stand for democracy against an overreaching executive.

As both sides dig in, this battle over the National Guard reflects broader tensions about power, protest, and the rule of law in a deeply divided nation.