By Cliff Potts, Editor-in-Chief, WPS News
Dateline — August 12, 2025
President Donald Trump has controversially deployed federal forces in two dramatic moves: he took command of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., by sending 800 National Guard troops, and earlier, in June, he sent approximately 4,000 federalized California National Guard members plus 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles — without the consent of Governor Gavin Newsom (Reuters, AP, 2025; Reuters legal trial, 2025). At the same time, Trump hinted that similar deployments could happen in other major cities such as New York, Chicago, and Oakland (Axios, 2025).
Los Angeles: Federal Overreach and Legal Firestorm
Deployment & context:
In June 2025, Trump ordered the federalization of 4,000 California National Guard personnel and deployed 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests sparked by ICE raids (AP News, 2025; Reuters trial, 2025). Governor Newsom vocally condemned the action, calling it unlawful and a “breach of state sovereignty” (Reuters, 2025; Time/CalMatters, 2025).
Legal challenge:
California promptly sued. A federal judge (Judge Charles Breyer) initially ruled the deployment illegal, ordering the return of Guard control to the state — but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed that order and allowed federal control to continue pending trial. The bench trial began on August 11, 2025, examining whether Trump violated the Posse Comitatus Act and the 10th Amendment by deploying troops without a gubernatorial request (Reuters trial, 2025; Reuters news, 2025; AP News, 2025; Guardian, 2025; CalMatters, 2025).
Precedent-setting case:
Analysts emphasize that this is the first time since the civil rights era that a president deployed the National Guard against a governor’s objections (CalMatters/Reuters, 2025; Guardian, 2025). The trial’s outcome may shape future limits on presidential authority in domestic military deployments.
Withdrawal:
In late July, the Pentagon began drawing down forces. Over 1,000 Guard troops were withdrawn, leaving about 250 in place to protect federal property (Washington Post, 2025; Reuters, 2025; AP News, 2025). Governor Newsom continues demanding full withdrawal and assessment of taxpayer costs (CA Governor’s Office, 2025).
Washington, D.C. and Beyond: A Double Standard?
D.C. deployment legal clarity:
Unlike states, D.C.’s National Guard is always federally controlled — making the deployment easier and largely unchallenged in court (Axios, 2025; Time, 2025).
Threats to other cities:
Trump has suggested deploying the Guard in cities like New York, Chicago, and Oakland, citing crime concerns — but such actions in states would require gubernatorial cooperation or use of the rare Insurrection Act, both hotly contested and legally dubious (Axios, 2025; Brennan Center, earlier discussion).
Bottom Line
- He did it: Trump did federalize the California National Guard and deploy Marines in L.A. — over the governor’s objections, triggering court battles.
- He took over D.C.: He also placed D.C. law enforcement under federal control under clear legal authority.
- Threats elsewhere remain theoretical and legally fraught.
References (APA Style)
AP News. (2025, August 11). Trial starts over Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard to Los Angeles.
Guardian. (2025, August 11). US judge hears if Trump team broke law during LA ICE protests.
Reuters. (2025, August 11). Landmark trial kicks off… deployment … LA without governor’s approval.
Reuters. (2025, August 12). Trump takes over D.C. police in extraordinary move….
Time. (2025, June). Gavin Newsom says Trump ‘manufactured’ crisis in California….
Washington Post. (2025, July). More than 1,000 National Guard troops leave Los Angeles….
Axios. (2025, August 11). A tale of two Guards… D.C. vs. California trial.
California Governor’s Office. (2025, August 6). Governor Newsom files request to expose taxpayer cost of Trump’s illegal National Guard deployment.
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