California to Sue Trump and Hegseth Over National Guard Deployment Amid Anti-ICE Riots

California’s top officials announced Monday their intention to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration following President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard soldiers in Los Angeles County over the weekend. The move comes after widespread unrest erupted in the region in response to protests against federal immigration raids, with some demonstrations reportedly turning violent.

Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement condemning the president’s actions, asserting that Trump had “abused his authority” by invoking a rare provision of Title 10. This federal law allows the president to mobilize National Guard forces if there is an invasion or a rebellion, terms which Bonta argued do not apply to the current situation in California.

“President Trump’s order calling federalized National Guard troops into Los Angeles – over the objections of the governor and local law enforcement – is unnecessary and counterproductive,” Bonta said. He further maintained that “there was no invasion, and no rebellion in California,” suggesting that the deployment was politically motivated rather than a response to any legitimate threat to public order.

Governor Gavin Newsom also criticized the federal intervention, stating that the arrival of National Guard personnel only exacerbated tensions on the ground. According to Newsom, local and state law enforcement agencies already had the situation under control before the president’s executive order “spurred chaos” and deepened unrest. The governor called the federal deployment “unwarranted” and accused Trump of forcing a military presence in defiance of state leadership and community needs.

The confrontation between California’s Democratic leadership and the Trump administration has heightened the ongoing debate over states’ rights and federal authority during times of civil unrest. The attorney general’s office indicated that a formal complaint challenging the activation of the National Guard would be filed imminently, as legal teams prepare arguments centered on the legitimacy and necessity of the president’s order.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.