Newsom to Sue Trump Over Guard Deployment

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Sunday that he plans to take legal action against the Trump administration for unauthorized deployment of 300 California State Guards to Portland.

In a press release, Newsom described the situation as “a breathtaking abuse of law and power,” criticizing President Trump for using it as a means to politically target American citizens.

Last month, Trump approved the deployment to Portland, claiming that immigration and customs enforcement facilities were “under siege from attacks by ANTIFA and other domestic terrorists.” He later shared a statement regarding the situation.

In a statement, Newsom tweeted, “Destruction: We are suing Donald Trump. His California State Guard deployment to Oregon is not about crime. It’s about power. He uses our army as political pawns to build up his own ego. That’s scary. It’s non-American. And it has to stop.”

On Saturday, a federal judge blocked the deployment of 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, appointed by Trump, granted a temporary restraining order requested by state and local officials against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, Attorney General Dan Layfield, and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson challenged Trump’s actions. On September 28, three Democratic leaders filed a request for a detention order, calling the deployment illegal.

This situation marks the second time Trump has overridden Newsom’s objections regarding the California State Guard. In June, he sent 4,000 troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles amid protests against ICE actions. A federal judge later ruled that deployment violated the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878.

Newsom emphasized on Sunday that Trump lacks the constitutional authority to federalize state troops unless there is an invasion, rebellion, or when regular troops are unable to enforce the law.