Fact Check: Trump lawfully deployed the National Guard to protect federal personnel during civil unrest.

Fact Check: "Trump lawfully deployed the National Guard to protect federal personnel during civil unrest."

What We Know

In June 2025, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of approximately 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles in response to protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. The deployment was justified under 10 U.S.C. § 12406, which permits the President to call up the National Guard during instances of rebellion or when federal forces are unable to enforce U.S. laws (Department of Defense Security for the Protection). The memorandum issued by Trump highlighted that the protests posed a credible threat to federal personnel and property, thereby justifying the deployment as a protective measure (Department of Defense Security for the Protection).

The legal framework for this deployment has been debated, particularly regarding the interpretation of "rebellion" and the limits of federal authority in domestic law enforcement. While the law allows for such actions, it has been historically contentious, with critics arguing that it could lead to an abuse of power (The law President Trump used to deploy the National Guard).

Analysis

The claim that Trump lawfully deployed the National Guard is partially true. The legal basis for the deployment is rooted in U.S. law, specifically 10 U.S.C. § 12406, which allows for the calling up of the National Guard to address situations deemed as rebellion or significant threats to federal authority (The law President Trump used to deploy the National Guard). However, the interpretation of the protests as a "rebellion" has been contested by various legal experts and state officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who argued that the deployment was not conducted through proper state channels as required by law (Trump using National Guard in LA is an 'abuse of power').

Moreover, the Posse Comitatus Act restricts the use of federal troops in domestic law enforcement roles, which means that while the National Guard could be deployed for protective purposes, their engagement in active law enforcement activities remains legally ambiguous (What U.S. law says about Trump's deployment of active duty troops to Los Angeles). This complexity raises questions about the legality of the deployment and whether it adheres to established legal precedents.

While the deployment was executed under the authority of federal law, the context and implications of such actions are significant. Critics argue that the deployment could set a dangerous precedent for federal overreach in state matters (Unpacking Trump's Order Authorizing Domestic Deployment).

Conclusion

The claim that Trump lawfully deployed the National Guard to protect federal personnel during civil unrest is partially true. The deployment was legally justified under federal law; however, the interpretation of the circumstances surrounding the protests as a "rebellion" and the legality of the deployment process itself are contentious points. The situation reflects a complex interplay between federal authority and state rights, raising concerns about potential abuses of power in future deployments.

Fact Check: Trump lawfully deployed the National Guard to protect federal personnel during civil unrest.