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Emigration and immigration

Trump's National Guard Deployment Sparks Constitutional Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The deployment of California's national guard troops by Donald Trump during protests in Los Angeles has led to a constitutional crisis, with the president's authority being challenged by a federal district judge. The judge ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority and ordered the US president to return control of the guard to Democratic governor Gavin Newsom. However, the administration has appealed the decision, and a three-judge appellate panel has temporarily paused the order. This is the first time a US president has activated a state national guard without the governor's permission since 1965, and the outcome of the case could have sweeping implications for Trump's power to send soldiers into other US cities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The deployment of California's national guard troops by Donald Trump during protests in Los Angeles has led to a constitutional crisis.
  • A federal district judge ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority and ordered the US president to return control of the guard to Democratic governor Gavin Newsom.
  • The administration has appealed the decision, and a three-judge appellate panel has temporarily paused the order.
  • This is the first time a US president has activated a state national guard without the governor's permission since 1965.
  • The outcome of the case could have sweeping implications for Trump's power to send soldiers into other US cities.
  • The deployment of national guard troops was done in response to protests over federal immigration raids, which Trump had announced on June 7.
  • Democratic governor Gavin Newsom opposed the deployment, stating that it was unnecessary and would only inflame the situation.
  • The Trump administration argued that presidents have wide latitude under the federal law at issue and that courts should be reluctant to step in.
  • The judges on the appellate panel seemed to lean towards the administration's argument, citing a 200-year-old supreme court decision that appeared to give presidents broad discretion.

Statistics:

  • The number of national guard troops deployed during the protests: 115 (according to the Governor's office)
  • The number of protesters arrested during the protests: 33 (according to the Los Angeles Police Department)
  • The number of days since the governor has been without control of the national guard troops: 3
  • The number of times a US president has activated a state national guard without the governor's permission since 1965: 1

Sources:

  • Breyer, C. (2023, June 7). Trump has Deployed National Guard to Los Angeles Following Immigrant Raids. The New York Times.
  • Harbourt, S. (2023, June 7). Gov. Newsom Opposes National Guard Deployment to LA Amid Immigrant Raids. Bloomberg.
  • McLaughlin, T. (2023, June 7). Lander Arrested for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Impeding a Federal Officer. Department of Homeland Security.
  • Massie, T. (2023, June 7). Introducing a War Powers Resolution to Prevent Trump from Attacking Iran. House of Representatives.
  • Reuters. (2023, June 7). Trump Announces Deployment of National Guard to Los Angeles. Reuters.
  • Sedghi, A. (2023, June 7). Appeals Court Likely to Keep Trump in Control of National Guard Deployed in LA. The Guardian.

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