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 a U.S. president has called in the National Guard without the permission of a state governor for the first time in 60 years is accurate. The last similar instance occurred in March 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson invoked his authority to federalize the Alabama National Guard to protect civil rights marchers from Selma to Montgomery. This decision was made without the cooperation of Alabama Governor George Wallace, who was a staunch segregationist and refused to act to protect the marchers (New York Times, NPR).
In June 2025, President Trump similarly federalized the California National Guard to address unrest related to federal immigration enforcement, again without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom (NPR, CBC).
Analysis
The historical context of the National Guard's federalization reveals that it is a rare occurrence for a president to bypass a state governor. The Council on Foreign Relations notes that typically, the National Guard is activated at the request of state governors, who command the troops (New York Times). This precedent underscores the significance of both Johnson's and Trump's actions, as they represent a deviation from the norm in federal-state relations concerning the National Guard.
Johnson's decision in 1965 was framed as a necessary measure to ensure the safety of civil rights activists, reflecting a moral imperative in the face of state inaction (NPR). In contrast, Trump's deployment of the National Guard was characterized as a response to unrest stemming from immigration enforcement actions, which has been a contentious issue in California (NPR).
Both instances highlight the tension between federal authority and state governance. While Johnson's action was largely viewed as a protective measure for civil rights, Trump's decision has been criticized as an "unnecessary provocation" by Governor Newsom, indicating a more politically charged context (NPR).
Conclusion
The claim that it is the first time in 60 years that a U.S. president has called in the National Guard to a state without the permission of its governor is True. The historical precedent set by President Johnson in 1965 is matched by President Trump's recent actions, marking a significant moment in the relationship between federal and state authorities regarding the National Guard.
