California Governor Gavin Newsom has criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for suggesting that active duty Marines could be mobilized in response to protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles. Hegseth’s statement came on Saturday after President Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard members to assist immigration agents following two days of clashes with demonstrators.
The protests erupted in response to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, resulting in at least 118 arrests. Newsom accused the Trump administration of “breaching state sovereignty” by deploying the National Guard without his consent. He stated that the federal government’s actions were “intentionally designed to inflame the situation.”
According to The Washington Post, President Trump invoked Title 10 of the U.S. Code on Armed Services, allowing federal authorities to take over state militia in times of “rebellion or danger of rebellion.” Newsom argued that local authorities are best suited to handle the situation and that deploying the National Guard unlawfully undermines state sovereignty.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris also criticized the federal administration, stating that deploying the National Guard is a “dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos.” The protests and federal response have sparked significant controversy, with local officials like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joining Newsom in condemning the federal actions.
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