LOS ANGELES — California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state is filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that President Donald Trump unlawfully federalized the National Guard to address protesters in Los Angeles.
The clashes between protesters and law enforcement “is exactly what Donald Trump wanted,” Newsom wrote on social media Monday morning.
“He incited the situation and illegally moved to federalize the National Guard,” Newsom stated. “The directive he signed not only affects California. It gives him the power to enter ANY STATE and take similar actions. We are taking legal action against him.”
Roughly 300 California National Guard members arrived in Los Angeles over the weekend as immigration protests intensified.
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Trump said he had authorized 2,000 members to deploy if needed. The president is also leaving the possibility of sending the Marines open.
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This is the first time a president has taken control of a state’s National Guard without a request from its governor in 60 years.
During these demonstrations, at least three officers have been injured and more than 50 people arrested.
ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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