California to sue Trump over National Guard presence after night of violent, anti-ICE protests

California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected Monday morning to sue the Trump administration over President Trump's deployment of the state's National Guard, after a violent night of protests over federal immigration-enforcement sweeps. 

Newsom told MSNBC on Sunday evening that the lawsuit would challenge Trump's federalization of the California National Guard without the governor's consent, which has rarely occurred in U.S. history.

“Donald Trump has created the conditions you see on your TV tonight. He’s exacerbated the conditions. He’s, you know, lit the proverbial match. He’s putting fuel on this fire, ever since he announced he was taking over the National Guard — an illegal act, an immoral act, an unconstitutional act,” Newsom said. “And we’re going to test that theory with a lawsuit tomorrow."

The situation started on Friday when federal agents arrested dozens of people in the Los Angeles area suspected of being in the U.S. illegally, which was followed by Trump activating roughly 2,000 Guard members to protect federal buildings in the city. 

The mostly-peaceful protests turned violent and destructive Sunday evening when protesters, apparently joined by agitators, clashed with Guard members outside of a federal detention center, then with Los Angeles police – blocking roads and burning self-driving cars. 

The city appears mostly quiet Monday morning. 

Newsom also said the administration failed to follow the letter of his own executive order to activate the Guards units because it "specifically notes" the Defense Department had to first coordinate with the governor of the state. 

"We have no problem, working collaboratively in a mutual aid system with local law enforcement. But there’s a protocol, there’s a process, Newsom continued. "He didn’t care about that,."

Protests and rioting in Los Angeles against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents' arrests of illegal aliens entered a third day Sunday, with hundreds flooding the 101 freeway in downtown Los Angeles and bringing traffic to a standstill.

Police said in a post on X that California Highway Patrol officers are attempting to disperse the demonstrators off the southbound section of the freeway. LAPD also said cars had been set on fire in a historic neighborhood, causing authorities to declare an unlawful assembly.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told NewsNation that “President Trump rightfully stepped in to restore law and order because of Gavin Newsom’s feckless leadership and his refusal to stop the violent attacks on American law enforcement.”

“It’s a bald-faced lie for Newsom to claim there was no problem in Los Angeles before President Trump got involved,” she also said. “Everyone saw the chaos, violence, and lawlessness – unless, of course, Gavin Newsom doesn’t think any of that is a problem.”