Trump Bypasses Newsom, Deploys National Guard to Los Angeles Amid Immigration Protests

Los Angeles saw a significant escalation of immigration protests on June 7th, 2025, prompting President Trump to deploy 2,000 California National Guard troops without the consent of Governor Gavin Newsom. This unprecedented move has sparked intense debate, with legal experts weighing in on the president's authority under Title 10 U.S.C. § 12406. The statute grants the president the power to federalize National Guard units during emergencies or rebellions, but the application of this law in this specific context is highly contested. Footage from the protests shows significant unrest, with property damage and clashes between protestors and law enforcement. However, critics argue that the situation did not warrant such drastic measures, bypassing the established chain of command. "The president's decision to override the governor's authority is a dangerous precedent," stated a leading constitutional law professor at Stanford University. The event echoes a similar deployment in 1965 by President Johnson in Alabama, but the circumstances and legal interpretations differ significantly. The ongoing situation highlights the complex interplay between federal and state authority during times of civil unrest.