California officials have announced their intention to challenge any deployment of federalized National Guard troops to San Francisco in court. The announcement follows recent statements from President Trump and members of his administration indicating that San Francisco could be the next city targeted for a federal military presence.
Attorney General Rob Bonta, Governor Gavin Newsom, and San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu made clear their opposition to such a move. “There is no basis to send National Guard troops to San Francisco. No emergency. No rebellion. No invasion. Not even unrest,” said Attorney General Bonta. “President Trump has long abandoned any pretenses for the illegal federalization and deployment of California’s National Guard. He does not care about satisfying the conditions of the law; he cares about himself, and he cares about power. Trump has made no secret of his intentions: To use our National Guard as his own Royal Army and our cities as a training ground for the military. This is outrageous, indefensible, and most importantly illegal. San Francisco may be the President’s latest target, but California is no stranger to the President’s political games and unconstitutional tactics. We’re ready to go to court immediately if the President follows through on this latest illegal plan.”
Governor Newsom added: “We’re a nation of laws and accountability — not a nation that turns a blind eye to abuse of power,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Donald Trump, himself a convicted felon who pardoned felons convicted of assaulting federal law enforcement officers, is misleading the public with his false narrative that America, and especially California, is some lawless wasteland. But California is proving him wrong — in the courts and on the facts. We don’t bow to kings, and we’re standing up to this wannabe tyrant. The notion that the federal government can deploy troops into our cities with no justification grounded in reality, no oversight, no accountability, no respect for state sovereignty — it’s a direct assault on the rule of law. We’re drawing a line: California will always defend the Constitution, our people, and our values from authoritarian overreach.”
City Attorney David Chiu also voiced concerns about deploying military forces in urban areas: “Needlessly and haphazardly deploying the military to American cities makes us all less safe,” said City Attorney Chiu.“These deployments inflame tensions, undermine local law enforcement, and harm local economies. San Francisco has seen historic drops in crime, and our local law enforcement are more than capable of keeping our city safe while upholding First Amendment rights.There is no factual basis for a National Guard or military deployment in San Francisco.Should President Trump make good on his ridiculous threats to send the military to San Francisco,we will work together with the Attorney General and the Governor to take legal action to defend San Francisco.”
Attorney General Bonta’s office has previously challenged similar actions by filing lawsuits against what they describe as unlawful orders by President Trump’s administration regarding National Guard deployments in other cities such as Los Angeles and Portland. In June, emergency relief was granted by a U.S District Court blocking an order that would have placed command of California’s National Guard under federal control; however,the order remains stayed pending appeal at Ninth Circuit Court.
The Attorney General’s Office also presented evidence during an August trial concerning violations of the Posse Comitatus Act, resulting in an injunction against further similar activity by federal authorities—though this too awaits final resolution pending appeal.
Earlier this month,Bonta joined Oregon’s attorney general seeking—and securing—a court order blocking deployment of California National Guard troops federally assigned outside state borders,and submitted new filings arguing changes since June undermine arguments supporting continued stays on earlier orders.
Bonta has supported related lawsuits filed by attorneys general from Illinois,Oregon,and Washington D.C.,and recently filed an amicus brief before the U.S Supreme Court opposing broad presidential authority over state guard units.
