Fact Check: "The Trump force his authority under title 10"
What We Know
The claim that "Trump forced his authority under Title 10" refers to President Donald Trump's invocation of Title 10 of the U.S. Code to deploy National Guard troops and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles amid protests against his immigration policies. Specifically, Trump cited 10 U.S.C. ยง 12406, which allows the president to call National Guard members into federal service under certain circumstances, including during a rebellion against federal authority (source-3, source-5).
The deployment was controversial, with California Governor Gavin Newsom filing a lawsuit against Trump, arguing that the order was issued without state consent, which is typically required under federal law (source-1, source-2). Trump's order involved deploying approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to protect federal immigration enforcement agents and facilities from protests (source-4).
Analysis
The legality of Trump's actions hinges on the interpretation of Title 10 and the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally prohibits federal military forces from acting in a law enforcement capacity on U.S. soil. Trump's use of 10 U.S.C. ยง 12406 is contentious because while it allows for the federalization of National Guard troops, the specific circumstances under which he invoked it are debated. Critics argue that he did not meet the legal thresholds for such an invocation, particularly since he did not declare a state of insurrection (source-6, source-8).
Moreover, Trump's administration's interpretation of his authority as president to deploy troops without state consent has been challenged. Legal experts and former military officials have expressed concerns that his actions could set a dangerous precedent for federal overreach into state matters (source-4, source-7).
While Trump's invocation of Title 10 does provide him some authority, the lack of clarity regarding the specific legal justification and the absence of a formal declaration of insurrection complicate the narrative. The situation is further muddied by the political context, as the deployment has been framed by opponents as an abuse of power (source-2, source-5).
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump forced his authority under Title 10" is Partially True. While Trump did invoke Title 10 to deploy National Guard troops, the legality and appropriateness of this action are highly contested. Critics argue he did not follow proper legal protocols, particularly regarding state consent, and his justification for the deployment lacks clarity. Therefore, while there is a basis for the claim, the surrounding legal and political complexities warrant a more nuanced understanding.
Sources
- Governor Newsom suing President Trump and Department of Defense for illegal takeover of CalGuard unit
- Governor Newsom files emergency motion to block Trump's unlawful militarization of Los Angeles
- Key Legal Questions in Trump's Order of National Guard to LA Protests
- What to know about the immigration protests in Los Angeles and ...
- Trump and LA: What laws give him authority to send federal troops
- Does US law allow Trump to send troops to quell protests?
- Trump invoked Title 10 to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles
- Trump's deployment of troops to LA prompts host of legal questions