Fact Check: "President Donald Trump ordered the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles in October 2023, against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom."
What We Know
In October 2023, President Donald Trump issued an order to deploy National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles amid rising tensions due to protests against immigration enforcement actions by ICE. This deployment was characterized by Governor Gavin Newsom as unlawful, asserting that it occurred without his consent, which is required under federal law for the federalization of state National Guard troops (source-1). The Governor subsequently filed a lawsuit to block this action, claiming it violated both the U.S. Constitution and his authority as Commander-in-Chief of the California National Guard.
On June 11, 2025, a federal judge ruled that Trump's deployment of the National Guard was illegal, stating that it exceeded his statutory authority and violated the Tenth Amendment, which delineates the powers of state and federal governments (source-2). However, an appeals court later temporarily blocked this ruling, allowing the deployment to continue while the case was under review (source-3).
Analysis
The claim that President Trump ordered the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles against Governor Newsom's wishes is supported by multiple sources. The deployment was indeed made without the Governor's consent, which is a critical point in the legal arguments surrounding the case. Newsom's administration argued that the President's actions represented an overreach of federal authority, infringing upon state rights and potentially leading to a militarization of civilian law enforcement (source-1).
The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they include official statements from the Governor's office and reports from reputable news organizations. However, it is important to note that the political context surrounding these events may introduce bias. For instance, Newsom's statements are likely influenced by his political opposition to Trump, which could color the portrayal of the events (source-4). Conversely, the Trump administration's characterization of the deployment as necessary for public safety reflects its own political agenda.
The legal proceedings are ongoing, and the situation remains fluid, with appeals and counter-arguments from both sides. The appeals court's decision to allow the National Guard to remain in Los Angeles while the case is reviewed indicates that the legal battle is not yet settled (source-5).
Conclusion
The claim that President Trump ordered the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles against the wishes of Governor Newsom is Partially True. While it is accurate that Trump issued the order without Newsom's consent, the legality of the deployment is currently under dispute in the courts. The situation reflects a complex interplay of federal and state authority, with ongoing legal challenges that could further clarify the circumstances surrounding the deployment.
Sources
- Governor Newsom prevails in blocking Trump's militarization ...
- Appeals court temporarily blocks judge's ruling to return ...
- Trump's Use of National Guard in Limbo After Court Rulings
- Appeals court allows Trump to keep National Guard in L.A. ...
- Appeals court allows Trump to keep National Guard in Los Angeles ...
- Trump administration can keep control of California National Guard ...
- National Guard troops will stay under Trump's ... - Los Angeles Times
- LA protests: What US law says about Trump's deployment of CA National ...
