"Incompetent, Liar": Trump As California Governor Plans To Sue Him Amid Protest

Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, announced on Monday that he plans to sue the President over his administration's crackdown on protests that have rocked Los Angeles over the last 72 hours. In an extraordinary move, Donald Trump had ordered the National Guard of California to be deployed in LA to confront the protesters who were demonstrating their support to migrants.

Disregarding the federal law, the Trump Administration ordered a massive crackdown on immigrants, arresting them off the streets in Los Angeles. This led to mass protests with tens of thousands descending on the streets across the city.

'ILLEGAL AND UNLAWFUL'

"Commandeering a state's National Guard without consulting the Governor of that state is illegal and immoral," Newsom, a Democrat, told news broadcaster MSNBC, threatening to sue the President for his "illegal move".

Tensions remain high after the Trump administration called in the National Guard - a move rejected by leaders of that state - following violent clashes allegedly instigated by the police during a series of immigration raids.

There was a deafening silence early morning Monday across Los Angeles, a city of more than 4 million people, as hundreds of California National Guard troops were seen parading in various neighbourhoods across the city. Less than 24 hours ago, law enforcement agencies were seen firing tear gas shells, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades as protesters retaliated by setting police vehicles on fire and blocking off a major freeway.

'A GREAT DECISION', SAYS TRUMP

Minutes after the California Governor's announcement - that he plans to sue the President, Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that "We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California. If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated. The very incompetent "Governor,"  Gavin Newscum, and "Mayor," Karen Bass, should be saying, "THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP, YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL. WE WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, SIR." Instead, they choose to lie to the People of California and America by saying that we weren't needed, and that these are 'peaceful protests'."

He added that "Just one look at the pictures and videos of the Violence and Destruction tells you all you have to know. We will always do what is needed to keep our Citizens SAFE, so we can, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

According to news agency Associated Press, the National Guard was deployed specifically to protect federal buildings, including the downtown detention center where protesters concentrated.

'OVERWHELMED COPS'

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said officers were "overwhelmed" by the protesters. He said they included "regular agitators" who show up at demonstrations to cause trouble. Several dozen people were arrested throughout the weekend. Many others dispersed on Sunday evening after police declared an unlawful assembly, a precursor to officers moving in and arresting those who don't leave.

Earlier on Sunday, amid a severe crackdown by law enforcement agencies, agitated protesters resorted to violence. Some threw objects at the police, while others hurled chunks of concrete, rocks, and fireworks at California Highway Patrol officers and their vehicles parked on the closed southbound 101 Freeway. Officers had to run under an overpass to take cover at one point.

NOT THE FIRST TIME

This is not the first time President Trump has called in the National Guard to quell protests. In 2020, he had told the governors of several states to send troops to Washington, DC, to respond to demonstrations that arose after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officers. Only the Governors who agreed, had sent their National Guard.

Contrary to that, this time, Trump directly ordered in the National Guard without consulting the Governor, who under normal circumstances, would retain control and command of California's National Guard.

WHAT THE US LAWS SAY ABOUT TRUMP'S MOVE

Usually, federal military forces are not permitted to carry out civilian law enforcement duties against citizens of the United States of America, except in times of emergency.

An 18th-century wartime law, known as the Insurrection Act, is the main legal mechanism that a President can use to activate the military or National Guard during times of rebellion or unrest. But President Trump didn't invoke the Insurrection Act, and instead used another method.

He relied on a similar federal law, known as Title 10 authority, that allows the President to federalise National Guard troops under certain circumstances. These include:

1. When the US is invaded or in danger of invasion.
2. When there is a rebellion or danger of rebellion against the authority of the US government.
3. When the President is unable to execute the laws of the United States with regular forces.

However, the law also says that such orders "shall be issued through the governors of the States." There is a lack of clarity on whether the President can activate National Guard troops without the order of that state's Governor.

Once this law is invoked, it places the National Guard directly under the President's command, and not that of the Governor's.

The National Guard is an entity that serves both state and federal interests.