The National Guard stand outside of a downtown jail in Los Angeles on June 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California following days of clashes between law enforcement agents and protesters during a series of immigration raids. Photo: VCG

California leaders would file a federal lawsuit on Monday against the Trump administration over the federalization and deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles, California lieutenant governor Eleni Kounalakis anticipated, Los Angeles Times reported.

"I believe that we are likely going to see a lawsuit tomorrow recognizing that [Trump] did not have the authority to call in the National Guard for 400 people protesting in a way that local law enforcement could clearly handle it," Kounalakis said on CNN Sunday evening. 

As the clashes intensify, approximately 500 active-duty Marines are on a “prepared to deploy status” and would be sent from the combat center in Twentynine Palms, California, as unrest persists in the city, US Northern Command said Sunday evening. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had warned Saturday that the active-duty Marines were preparing to deploy, per CNN.

About 300 members of the California National Guard have been operating in Los Angeles because of the demonstrations, according to the office of Governor Gavin Newsom, who formally requested that the Trump administration rescind its “unlawful” deployment, and allow local authorities to maintain order.

It is the first time that a president called in the National Guard without a state’s request or consent since 1965, according to CNN. 

The clashes over immigration and follow-up developments were described by Los Angeles Times as showing a “widening political divide between California and the Trump administration.” 

A joint statement from 22 Democratic governors Sunday condemned the deployment of National Guard as “an alarming abuse of power.” The statement also decried threats to send Marines to the area, which Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Saturday was a possibility.


Global Times