Fact Check: "It was the first time it was activated without a governor's permission since 1965."
What We Know
The claim that it was the first time a president activated a state's National Guard without the governor's permission since 1965 is substantiated by multiple sources. On June 6, 2025, President Trump invoked his authority to activate 2,000 National Guard troops in California to address immigration protests, bypassing Governor Gavin Newsom's request for federal assistance (source-1, source-2). This action marked the first instance of such a federal activation since President Lyndon B. Johnson did so in March 1965 to protect civil rights demonstrators in Alabama, against the wishes of Governor George Wallace (source-1, source-3).
Historically, the National Guard is typically activated at the request of the state governor, who has command over the troops. The Council on Foreign Relations notes that presidents rarely federalize a state's National Guard without the governor's consent (source-1).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from reputable sources, including the New York Times and NPR, which provide historical context and details about the recent activation of the National Guard. The New York Times explicitly states that President Trump’s action was the first of its kind since 1965, corroborating the claim (source-2). Additionally, Elizabeth Goitein from the Brennan Center for Justice confirms this historical precedent, highlighting the rarity of such actions by U.S. presidents (source-2).
The sources used are credible, coming from established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The New York Times and NPR are known for their journalistic integrity, providing detailed accounts and analysis of political events. The historical context provided enhances the reliability of the claim, as it is supported by a clear precedent set by President Johnson in 1965.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that it was the first time a president activated a state's National Guard without the governor's permission since 1965 is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that President Trump’s recent action is indeed the first instance of such an activation in nearly six decades, following the precedent set by President Johnson during the civil rights movement.
