Fact Check: "It is the first time a U.S. president has called in the National Guard to a state without the permission of its governor in 60 years."
What We Know
The claim that it is the first time in 60 years a U.S. president has called in the National Guard without the permission of a state governor is accurate. The last instance occurred in 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson federalized the Alabama National Guard to protect civil rights marchers from Selma to Montgomery. Johnson took this action after Alabama Governor George Wallace refused to ensure the safety of the marchers, stating that the state was "unable and refuses to provide for the safety and welfare" of the activists (NPR).
On June 6, 2025, President Donald Trump invoked similar powers to federalize the California National Guard in response to protests against federal immigration raids, bypassing Governor Gavin Newsom's authority (New York Times). This marked the first time since Johnson's action that a president has activated a state's National Guard without a request from the state's governor (TIME).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust and corroborated by multiple reputable sources. Both NPR and the New York Times confirm that Johnson's action in 1965 was the last instance of a president federalizing a state's National Guard without the cooperation of the governor (NPR, New York Times). The context of Johnson's decision was rooted in civil rights issues, while Trump's recent decision was made in response to immigration-related protests, highlighting a significant shift in the nature of such federal interventions.
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high. NPR and the New York Times are established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. Additionally, experts like Elizabeth Goitein from the Brennan Center for Justice provided authoritative commentary on the implications of Trump's actions, further validating the claim (New York Times).
However, it is important to note that while the invocation of federal powers is rare, there have been instances where governors have requested federal assistance during times of unrest, such as during the 1992 Los Angeles riots when California Governor Pete Wilson sought federal help (NPR). This historical context underscores the unusual nature of Trump's decision to act unilaterally.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The statement that it is the first time in 60 years a U.S. president has called in the National Guard to a state without the permission of its governor is accurate. The historical precedent set by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 remains the only comparable instance, making Trump's recent action a significant event in U.S. history.
Sources
- Why Lyndon Johnson federalized the National Guard in 1965 - NPR
- 1965 Was the Last Time a President Bypassed a Governor - New York Times
- Trump Is Calling Up National Guard Troops Under a Rarely Used Law - New York Times
- Appeals court blocks earlier ruling, allows Trump to - NPR
- What happened the last time a U.S. president overrode a state to deploy - CBC
- 7 Times Presidents Have Activated US Troops on American Soil - HISTORY
- Can the President Activate a State's National Guard? - TIME
- The National Guard Was Sent to L.A. in 1992. This Is Different - TIME
