Fact Check: California calls National Guard deployment 'extraordinary' and unnecessary.

Fact Check: California calls National Guard deployment 'extraordinary' and unnecessary

What We Know

The claim that California officials described the National Guard deployment as "extraordinary" and "unnecessary" stems from recent events surrounding President Trump's decision to federalize California National Guard troops. On June 7, 2025, President Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid ongoing immigration protests, which local authorities had already managed without federal assistance (New York Times).

California Governor Gavin Newsom and several state officials criticized this action, stating it was unwarranted given the absence of unmet law enforcement needs. Senator Adam Schiff remarked that the deployment was "unprecedented" and "designed to inflame tensions" (CA.gov). Other officials echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the National Guard's involvement was unnecessary and escalatory (NPR).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, as multiple state officials, including Governor Newsom and various congressional representatives, publicly condemned the deployment. They characterized it as an "extraordinary" measure that was not warranted by the circumstances on the ground. For instance, Congresswoman Laura Friedman stated that the federal government's action was "escalatory and unnecessarily hostile" (CA.gov).

The sources cited are credible, including official statements from California's government and reputable news outlets like the New York Times and NPR. These sources provide a clear context for the deployment and the reactions from state officials, indicating a consensus that the action was both extraordinary and unnecessary.

However, it is important to note that the deployment was framed by the Trump administration as a necessary response to unrest, which highlights a potential bias in the narrative presented by federal officials. The lack of local requests for assistance further supports the claim that the deployment was not only extraordinary but also unwarranted (AP News).

Conclusion

The claim that California officials called the National Guard deployment "extraordinary" and "unnecessary" is True. The evidence from multiple state officials and the context of the deployment clearly indicate that California's leadership viewed this federal action as unwarranted and inflammatory. The consensus among state representatives reinforces the validity of the claim.

Fact Check: California calls National Guard deployment 'extraordinary' and unnecessary.