Issue #233: Trump’s illegal invasion of L.A.
California won’t let this stand
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Trump calls for Gov. Newsom’s arrest. Newsom calls him on his bluff.
DHS secretary calls for “liberating” L.A. from its elected officials
Do Republicans want the U.S. to break up?
SETTING THE STAGE
Trump vs. California
David A. Graham, The Atlantic
The relationship between Trump and California has always been bad, but the past few days represent a new low. On Friday, CNN reported that the White House was seeking to cut off as much federal funding to the Golden State as possible, especially to state universities. That afternoon, protests broke out in Los Angeles as ICE agents sought to make arrests. By Saturday, Trump had announced that he was federalizing members of the National Guard and deploying them to L.A., over the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat.
If nothing else, the Trump era has given progressives a new appreciation for states’ rights. Democrat attorneys general have become some of the most effective opponents of the Trump White House, just as Republican ones battled the Obama and Biden administrations. On Friday, Newsom mused about California withholding federal taxes. This is plainly illegal, but you can see where he’s coming from: In fiscal year 2022, the state contributed $83 billion dollars more to the federal government than it received. If California is not getting disaster aid but is getting hostile deployments of federal troops, Californians might find it harder to see what’s in it for them. No wonder one poll commissioned by an advocacy group earlier this year found that 61 percent of the state’s residents thought California would be better off as a separate nation.
Opinion: Humiliated Trump targets California
Robert Reich, Alternet
Why is he doing it, and why now?
Because Trump can’t stand to be humiliated — as he has been in the last two weeks. By senate Republicans refusal to quickly enact his so-called One Big Beautiful Bill. By Xi Jinping’s refusal to back down on trade (and restrict shipments of China’s rare earths, which American industry depends on). By Putin’s refusal to end the war in Ukraine. By the federal courts pushing back against his immigration policy. And, now, by insults and smears from the richest person in the world, who has a larger social media following than does Trump.
What better Ground Zero for him to try out his police state than Los Angeles — a city teaming with immigrants, with Hollywood celebrities who demonize him, and wealthy moguls who despise him?
TRUMP INVADES LOS ANGELES
What to know about Trump’s deployment of the Marines and National Guard to LA’s immigration protests
Jake Offenhartz, AP
The 700 Marines arrived in the Los Angeles area, but they hadn’t been called to respond to the protests as of Tuesday afternoon and were only there to protect federal officials and property, the Marine Corps commandant said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who objected to Trump’s deployment of troops, including roughly 4,000 National Guard members, filed an emergency motion in federal court seeking to block them from being used to assist with immigration raids. The governor’s request said it was in response to a change in orders that had been issued for the Guard.
In a public address Tuesday evening, Newsom called Trump’s actions the start of an “assault” on democracy.
“California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next,” he said.
The governor filed an emergency request earlier in the day seeking to block the Trump administration from using the Guard and Marines to assist with immigration raids.
Photos posted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement showed National Guard troops standing guard around officers as they made arrests.
‘Wildly underprepared’: National Guard troops seen sleeping on floors in exclusive photos
Matthias Gafni, SF Chronicle
The troops — whose makeshift quarters are shown in photographs exclusively obtained by the Chronicle — arrived without federal funding for basic necessities, said the source, who was granted confidentiality under Chronicle policies. This person said state officials and the California National Guard were not to blame.
“This is what happens when the president and (Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth) demand the National Guard state assets deploy immediately with no plan in place … (and) no federal funding available for food, water, fuel and lodging,” the source said. “This is really the failure of the federal government. If you’re going to federalize these troops, then take care of them.”
California judge blocks military deployment in LA
Matt Simons
A federal judge on Thursday blocked President Donald Trump from further “federalizing” the state’s National Guard after troops were ordered into Los Angeles during protests over ICE immigration raids.
“His actions were illegal—both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer said in his order.
Breyer granted a temporary restraining order barring the federal government from deploying members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles. He also returned control of the State National Guard to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“We’re talking about the president exercising his authority. And the president is, of course, limited in his authority. That’s the difference between a constitutional government and King George,” said U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer said in his order.
But… Trump judges endorse delay tactics, with no explanation
Appeals court temporarily lifts judge’s block on Trump’s National Guard deployment
Zach Schonfeld
The ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals landed mere hours after U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ordered the president to return control of the troops to California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) by Friday afternoon.
The three-judge appeals panel comprises two Trump-nominated judges, Mark Bennett and Eric Miller, and Judge Jennifer Sung, an appointee of former President Biden.
Their one-page order contained little explanation but suggests it is not a decision on the merits of the case in any way.
DHS GOONS ASSUALT CALIFORNIA SENATOR
Sen. Alex Padilla handcuffed by federal agents at immigration press conference
Christopher Buchanan, Rachel Uranga and Laura J. Nelson, LA Times
California Sen. Alex Padilla was handcuffed by federal agents Thursday after he interrupted a press conference held by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles.
About five minutes into a press conference at the Westwood federal building, Noem told the media that the Trump administration planned to “liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that the governor and the mayor have placed on this country.”
Padilla, who was standing near a wall on one side of the room, then tried to interrupt Noem to ask a question, video footage shows. Cameras turned toward him as two Secret Service agents tried to push him backward, one saying: “Sir, sir, hands up.”
“I’m Sen.Alex Padilla,” he said, as one agent grabbed his jacket and shoved him backward on the chest and arm. “I have questions for the secretary, because the fact of the matter is that half a dozen violent criminals that you’re rotating on your — on your ...”
“Hands off!” Padilla said, as three agents pushed him into a separate room.
Exclusive: DHS secretary sought military arrests and drones in Los Angeles in leaked letter
Matthias Gafni, Cynthia Dizikes, Sophia Bollag, Susie Neilson, SF Chronicle
“As rioters have escalated their assaults on our DHS law enforcement and activists’ behavior on the streets has become increasingly dangerous, Secretary Noem requested Secretary Hegseth direct the military on the ground in Los Angeles to arrest rioters to help restore law and order,” Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs, said in a statement.
However, 40 minutes later, the agency asked the Chronicle to disregard the first statement from McLaughlin in favor of a new one.
“This letter was sent days ago, prior to the Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of Defense meeting with the President. The posture of our brave troops has not changed,” the statement said. “This is a whole-of-government approach to restore law and order. We are grateful to our military members and law enforcement who have acted with patriotism in the face of assault, taunts, and violence.”
State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, said Noem’s request for military arrests was ominous and out of proportion in a country where “intense protests have happened throughout history.”
“This isn’t what happens in a democracy, this is what happens in a dictatorship,” Wiener said. “We have a time-honored tradition in the United States that the military does not enforce civilian law.”
On Tuesday, after the publication of this story, a Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed Noem had made the request to Hegseth.
‘AN OUTRIGHT LIE’
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass delivers impassioned speech demanding ICE leave city
Noah Goldberg and David Zahniser, LA Times
Standing alongside a hundred civic leaders as police sirens blared in the background, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass delivered her most impassioned critique of the federal response to anti-ICE protests to date Thursday.
The mayor — flanked by faith leaders, business leaders, immigrant rights advocates and others — defended the city’s ability to handle the sometimes chaotic protests that have swept across downtown L.A. for the last week, while accusing the Trump administration of deliberately misrepresenting the city as overwhelmed by violence.
“To characterize what is going on in our city as a city of mayhem is just an outright lie,” Bass said, responding to comments by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem earlier in the day. “I’m not going to call it an untruth. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I’m going to call it for what it is, which is a lie.”
“I served with the Secretary for probably about 10 years in Congress. And Madame Secretary, I do not recognize you. I do not know the Kristi Noem that I served with,” she said.
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AN ATTACK ON THE VERY IDEA OF CALIFORNIA
‘I would’: Trump says he'd arrest California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Davis Winkie, USA Today
Amid a mounting legal clash between the federal government and the state of California, President Donald Trump suggested his border czar Tom Homan should arrest Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“I would do it … I think it would be a great thing,” Trump said June 9 when asked if Homan should arrest the governor, who has challenged the administration’s mobilization of National Guard troops to crack down on violent protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles. The president also attacked Newsom as "grossly incompetent."
Newsom was aghast: "The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor. This is a day I hoped I would never see in America," he said on X.
Op-Ed: Newsom called it deranged—He’s right. This is the new crisis
David Greenwald, Vanguard News Group
By overriding the authority of state leaders, criminalizing dissent, and militarizing civil enforcement, the Trump administration is undermining the very structure of American federalism. What is unfolding in Los Angeles is not a localized policy dispute—it is a test case for how far executive power can be pushed in the face of opposition.
This is also an attack on the very idea of California—its values, its independence, and its refusal to bend to Washington’s authoritarian turn. California has consistently challenged the Trump administration on immigration, climate policy, reproductive rights, and social equity. And for that, it is now being punished with federal troops and legal threats. The deployment of the National Guard is not about restoring order; it is about sending a message: dissent will not be tolerated.
And make no mistake—this message is being heard not just in Sacramento or Los Angeles but across the country. Every governor, every mayor, every civil rights leader should be watching closely. Because what is happening in L.A. today could happen anywhere tomorrow. If the federal government can override a state’s deployment of its own National Guard, what powers are left to check a president bent on retribution?
One question our poll is asking Californians right now:
Since January, there have been several documented cases of federal immigration authorities acting maliciously or carrying out enforcement actions that federal courts have deemed unlawful.
Should police in California arrest federal immigration officers who act maliciously or knowingly exceed their authority under federal law and charge them with assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, human trafficking, or other crimes?
WHAT TO DO?
Trump Lurches Us Toward a Police State
Padilla later told MSNBC that he was actually in the building for a meeting about the federal invasion of Los Angeles with federal authorities when he heard about Noem’s press conference. He said he was escorted to the room by FBI and Secret Service officials; he didn’t barge in. “Where I grew up, you know what happens if you defy law enforcement,” he said, so he complied. Padilla said he eventually met briefly with Noem, but she didn’t answer his questions. Or apologize. He urged Americans to join Saturday’s “No Kings” rally.
Don’t “reclaim” it. Pull it down.
Want to celebrate your independence this July 4? Put your American flags away.
Instead, fly a California flag. Or run up the banner of municipality. The local level is where you stand the best chance of holding onto your liberty.
Because the occupier of the White House never stops declaring that he, not we Californians, is California’s proper ruler.
C.C. Marin, director of the Independent California Institute, encourages challenges to the custom of American flag supremacy, and urges us just to fly the California flag instead.
“California’s state flag is a powerful symbol of resistance and unity in the face of a cruel, lawless presidential administration,” Marin wrote recently. “Flags remind us who’s in charge. California is not and has never been a subsidiary of the federal government. … Voluntarily flying our own flag below the American flag is literally a symbol of inferiority and compliance.”
Marin suggests that charter cities — which have their own constitutions — take the lead in taking down American flags because they are exempt from flag laws. Special districts — governments that carry out a special duty, like running a hospital — also don’t have to fly the American flag, Marin notes.
If an authoritarian Trump seizes more power, should blue states secede?
Sanford Levinson and Tarence Ray, The Nation
Almost no one opposes every secessionist movement, whether in the distant past - beginning with the American secession from the British Empire - or in more recent times, such as the secession of members of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, of Great Britain from the European Union, or of Slovenia from Yugoslavia. As Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes argued, general principles do not decide concrete cases.
I have little hesitation in suggesting that a peaceful breakup of the existing union would be preferable to a divided polity in which there is neither fraternity nor sorority, but only enmity at those perceived, often accurately, as enemies.
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