International Desk, (EFE).- California officials filed a lawsuit Monday against United States President Donald Trump, accusing him of “illegally” deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles to contain protests against immigration raids.
Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside Governor Gavin Newsom, announced legal action to overturn what they called the president’s “unconstitutional federalization” of California’s Guard troops.
“This action abuses federal authority and violates the Tenth Amendment,” Bonta said in a statement. “Deploying troops to protests that local law enforcement confirmed were under control shows deep disrespect for their service.”
However, the lawsuit notes this is the first time since 1965 a president has sent National Guard troops to California without the governor’s request.
“Governor Newsom has used the Guard during wildfires and 2020 protests. He didn’t authorize this deployment,” Bonta added.
President Trump escalated tensions with California officials on Monday by stating that if he were in the position of Tom Homan, his istration’s “border czar,” he would arrest Governor Gavin Newsom for his handling of the immigration-related protests in Los Angeles.
“If I were Tom, I would do it… Gavin likes publicity,” Trump told reporters when asked about a potential arrest of the Democratic governor. “He’s done a terrible job. I like Gavin Newsom; he’s a nice guy, but he’s tremendously incompetent. Everybody knows that.”
Trump also lashed out at protesters who clashed with authorities over the weekend, calling them “professional agitators and insurrectionists” who “should be in jail.”
The remarks come amid growing friction between the White House and California officials following Trump’s deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to downtown Los Angeles, despite opposition from local and state leaders.
The deployment was a response to escalating demonstrations against immigration raids led by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Tom Homan, the White House immigration advisor, sparked controversy on Sunday when he suggested both Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass could face arrest for obstructing federal operations. Newsom responded defiantly on social media: “Tom, arrest me.”
United Nations, Human Rights groups war against militarization
The UN and several human rights organizations expressed concern over what they described as the militarization of immigration enforcement in the US.
On Monday, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the world body does “not wish to see further militarization” of the issue following Trump’s deployment of troops in Los Angeles.
“We hope the parties on the ground will work toward de-escalation,” Haq said during a press briefing in New York. “We encourage local, state, and federal actors to collaborate constructively.”
Moreover, Amnesty International condemned the move. In a statement, US Executive Director Paul O’Brien said the deployment was “deeply alarming” and evidence that the Trump istration is “willing to use military force to punish those speaking out for human rights.”
“This is not about protecting communities,” O’Brien added. “It’s about crushing dissent and instilling fear. Militarizing immigration control and targeting individuals exercising their right to free expression has no place in a democracy.”
Trump claims troop deployment saved Los Angeles
In a post on his Truth Social , the president said, “We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California. If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated.”
The president accused Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass of “lying about the nature of the protests, which began peacefully but escalated into violent confrontations with ICE agents and police, resulting in over 100 arrests.
The very incompetent “Governor,” Gavin Newscum, and “Mayor,” Karen Bass, should be saying, “THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP, YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL. WE WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, SIR.” Trump wrote, “Instead, they choose to lie to the People of California and US by saying that we weren’t needed, and that these are “peaceful protests.”
On Sunday, Trump described Los Angeles as a city “invaded and occupied by illegal immigrants and criminals.”
Governor Newsom responded by accusing Trump of “creating a crisis” and said the president’s actions “only make things worse.” EFE
int-seo/dgp
