California on Tuesday asked a federal court for a temporary restraining order, seeking to block the Trump administration’s deployment of state National Guard forces and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles. This move comes amidst mass protests over federal immigration enforcement efforts.
The request was filed as part of an existing federal lawsuit. California and Governor Gavin Newsom initiated the suit on Monday, asserting that Trump exceeded his authority. They claim he violated the U.S. Constitution by sending military forces into an American city without state or local official approval.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta stressed the urgency of the restraining order. He stated it was vital to immediately halt these deployments. Local officials maintain these forces are unnecessary. They believe the deployments only increase tensions fueled by widespread immigration detentions in large immigrant communities. “The President seeks any excuse to put military forces on American streets to intimidate those who disagree,” Bonta said. “It’s immoral, illegal, and dangerous.”
Governor Newsom echoed Bonta’s concerns. He stated the federal government was “turning the military against American citizens.” Newsom added, “Sending trained warfighters onto streets is unprecedented. It threatens our democracy’s core. Donald Trump acts like a tyrant, not a President.”
The state’s request asked for the order by 1 p.m. Tuesday. This was to “prevent immediate and irreparable harm” to California. The state argued that without relief, Trump’s “use of the military and federalized National Guard to patrol communities… creates imminent harm to State Sovereignty.” It “deprives the State of vital resources, escalates tensions and promotes (rather than quells) civil unrest.”
The lawsuit also highlighted that military forces, like Marines, cannot legally perform domestic policing duties. Trump administration officials have indicated Marines in Los Angeles might be used this way. “The Marine Corps’ deployment for law enforcement purposes is unlawful. The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits active duty forces for civilian law enforcement,” the state’s request stated. “President and Secretary Hegseth made clear Marines are not in L.A. to stand outside a federal building.”
Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to mobilize nearly 2,000 National Guard members Saturday. Trump claimed L.A. was chaotic and federal agents were at risk. An additional 2,000 members were mobilized Monday. The Pentagon approved 700 U.S. Marines from Twentynine Palms for L.A. on Monday. Their stated mission was protecting federal buildings and agents.
Hegseth said deployments would last 60 days. The acting Pentagon budget chief estimated costs at $134 million. Hegseth told a House subcommittee that the duration was to “ensure rioters, looters and thugs… know we’re not going anywhere.”
Local officials condemned associated violence and property damage. However, they believe Trump officials overstated problems. They argue federal forces aren’t needed. Constitutional scholars and some Congress members questioned domestic military deployments. They cited lack of local and state consent, calling it a dictator’s tactic.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass questioned the Marines’ role. Police Chief Jim McDonnell said military arrival without “clear coordination” “presents a significant logistical and operational challenge.”
Bonta had said Monday that the 10th Amendment limits federal power for such deployments. He called National Guard deployment without Newsom’s consent “unlawful” and “unprecedented.” Marine deployment, he added, would be “similarly unlawful.” On Tuesday, he reaffirmed the state’s request to “immediately block the Trump Administration from ordering the military… from patrolling our communities.”
