OPINION: Trump sets dangerous precedent in California

As veterans who swore to defend the Constitution, we must speak out against President Donald Trump’s unprecedented deployment of 4,000 federalized California National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s explicit wishes.

This marks the first time in 60 years a president has seized control of state National Guard forces over gubernatorial objection. Unlike historical precedents — Eisenhower integrating Little Rock schools or Kennedy protecting civil rights in Mississippi — Trump’s action responds to manageable immigration protests, not constitutional crises requiring federal military intervention.

The legal foundation is flawed. Trump invoked Title 10 U.S.C. Section 12406, claiming protests constituted “rebellion against the United States government.” Federal law requires such orders be issued “through the governors of the States” — Trump bypassed Newsom entirely. California’s ongoing federal lawsuit challenges these clear statutory violations.

This sets a dangerous precedent. Every future president can now claim local protests justify military deployment against state wishes. The Posse Comitatus Act exists precisely to prevent military policing of civilians — a principle fundamental to American democracy.

As veterans, we understand proper military authority. Trump’s action militarizes domestic political disputes and normalizes federal override of state sovereignty for partisan purposes.

The $134 million cost and deployment of 4,700 military personnel for protests that resulted in five criminal cases demonstrates gross disproportion. California had the situation under control; federalization was unnecessary.

We call on fellow veterans and New Mexicans to reject this constitutional overreach. Military force should protect democracy, not serve political agendas. When presidents can federalize state forces at will, we’ve abandoned the federalism our founders designed to protect liberty.

Our oath to defend the Constitution demands we oppose this dangerous expansion of executive power — regardless of party.