California Governor Gavin Newsom launched a brand new legal battle against the Trump administration after his state’s National Guard was deployed hundreds of miles away to assist in operations in Portland, Oregon.
In a statement on Monday, Newsom declared that California would sue President Donald Trump over what he claimed was an unlawful order involving 300 California National Guard personnel.
He accused the administration of using his state’s troops for political theater rather than legitimate security concerns.
“We’re suing Donald Trump. His deployment of the California National Guard to Oregon isn’t about crime. It’s about power,” Newsom claimed.
BREAKING: We’re suing Donald Trump.
His deployment of the California National Guard to Oregon isn’t about crime.
It’s about power.
He is using our military as political pawns to build up his own ego.
It’s appalling. It’s un-American.
And it must stop. pic.twitter.com/jdIMGz8hDP
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 5, 2025
“He is using our military as political pawns to build up his own ego. It’s appalling. It’s un-American. And it must stop.”
The president’s decision to redirect California troops followed a federal court ruling that temporarily blocked his earlier attempt to federalize Oregon’s National Guard. That ruling was set to expire October 18.
Newsom blasted the order as a “breathtaking abuse of law and power,” insisting that the administration was undermining the rule of law itself.
He accused the president of weaponizing the U.S. military for political purposes, calling it a dangerous precedent that threatened democratic norms.
“This isn’t about public safety, it’s about power,” the governor said. “The commander-in-chief is using the U.S. military as a political weapon against American citizens.”
After a federal court blocked his attempt to federalize the Oregon National Guard, Donald Trump is deploying 300 California National Guard personnel into Oregon. They are on their way there now.
We are taking this fight back to court.
The public cannot stay silent in the face…
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) October 5, 2025
Meanwhile, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek joined the criticism, suggesting that Trump’s order was a direct attempt to defy the court.
“This action appears intentional to circumvent yesterday’s ruling by a federal judge,” Kotek said.
“There is no need for military intervention in Oregon. There is no insurrection in Portland. No threat to national security. Oregon is our home, not a military target.”
Kotek’s office later confirmed that more than 100 California National Guard members had arrived in Oregon by plane Saturday night, though their current location was unclear.
White House officials argued that the move was lawful and necessary to protect federal facilities from what they described as escalating violence by left-wing activists.
The White House released a statement defending Trump’s decision. A spokeswoman said, “President Trump exercised his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland following violent riots and attacks on law enforcement. President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities.”
Portland has endured months of violent demonstrations since June, much of it driven by far-left agitators and Antifa members targeting federal buildings, law enforcement, and local businesses.
While Portland has been a flashpoint, similar unrest has erupted in other Democrat-run cities.
In Chicago, federal agents faced what officials described as a “coordinated act of domestic terrorism.”
Over the weekend, ten vehicles boxed in a patrol unit in the suburb of Broadview, and one suspect rammed a government vehicle before emerging with a semi-automatic firearm.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said agents returned fire, striking the armed suspect, who was later hospitalized.
The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Marimar Martinez, and another driver, 21-year-old Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, were charged with forcibly assaulting and interfering with federal law enforcement officers.
Prosecutors allege the pair deliberately used their vehicles to block in a CBP patrol car before the confrontation turned violent.
Martinez, who had posted online threats urging her gang to attack federal officers, was captured a mile away and taken into custody.
McLaughlin said local police abandoned the scene during the attack, forcing federal agencies to secure the area themselves.
BREAKING: Law enforcement under siege in Chicago as agitators hurl rocks, bottles at federal vehicles departing violent protest near scene of apparent coordinated attack on ICE officers in Brighton Park earlier today
Follow Border Hawk and @Wid_Lyman for updates pic.twitter.com/wWXQl3XHEg
— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) October 4, 2025
“The Chicago Police Department had fled the scene and refused to assist,” she said, noting that ICE had to deploy a special operations unit to prevent further chaos.
A crowd reportedly gathered near the confrontation site, chanting anti-police slogans.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller condemned the incident as “domestic terrorism and seditious insurrection,” calling it proof of the dangers federal officers face as local officials “turn their backs on law enforcement.”
This is domestic terrorism and seditious insurrection. https://t.co/OC5AHASjFC
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) October 4, 2025
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, however, pushed back against Trump’s actions, accusing the administration of intentionally escalating violence in Chicago to justify further deployments.
“They are the ones that are making it a war zone,” Pritzker told CNN’s Jake Tapper.
“They need to get out of Chicago. If they’re not going to focus on the worst of the worst … they need to get the heck out.”
This morning, the Trump Administration’s Department of War gave me an ultimatum: call up your troops, or we will. It is absolutely outrageous and un-American to demand a Governor send military troops within our own borders and against our will.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) October 4, 2025
Pritzker’s remarks drew criticism from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who appeared on “Fox & Friends Weekend” to counter what she described as Democratic leaders minimizing the violence.
“That man is a failure for his people and hasn’t stood up for the victims of the crimes that have happened in his city,” Noem said. “People on the streets are clapping as we do our work.”
Gangs, cartel members, and known terrorist organizations have placed bounties on the heads of several of our law enforcement officers.
These violent riots are not about free speech. This is the rule of law vs. anarchy.
We will win. pic.twitter.com/QCVHKt0nfy
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) October 5, 2025
Noem noted that half of the suspects arrested during recent federal operations had prior convictions for assault, robbery, and weapons offenses.
“Those individuals are off the streets thanks to President Trump, not thanks to that mayor who was delusional at best,” she said.
“He’s giving them air cover so they can go out and keep committing crimes. It’s wrong. This is a war zone, and he’s lying so that criminals can go in there and destroy people’s lives.”
Our military IS a weapon, that’s the point. They are a weapon of protection in this case. President Trump is THE Commander In Chief. He is in the position of authority here. Newsom is addled.
Another waste of our tax dollars. But it keeps Gov. Gasbag Nonsense in the limelight of the news. Which is all he cares about.