When Governors Clash with Defense Chiefs: Newsom vs Hegseth on Deploying Troops
On Saturday, California Governor Gavin Newsom responded sharply after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that active-duty Marines were placed on “high alert,” ready to deploy in Los Angeles if protests become violent. This statement came amid growing tensions over violent protests following federal immigration raids.
Hegseth, who oversees the military's civilian arm, said roughly 700 Marines were ready at Camp Pendleton. His alert warned that if violence escalates, the Marines might be sent in to control protests and protect federal personnel and property theguardian.com+15the-independent.com+15foxnews.com+15. The measure was part of broader federal efforts including National Guard deployment arranged without the governor’s approval.
In response, Governor Newsom criticized Hegseth's actions, calling them “deranged behavior” and accusing the Trump administration of manufacturing unrest. He emphasized state sovereignty and said the federal military presence was unwarranted, potentially inflaming tensions rather than calming them sfchronicle.comthe-independent.com+1yahoo.com+1. Governor Gavin Newsom’s response to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s readiness alert of active-duty Marines was not only immediate but deeply accusatory. Referring to Hegseth’s move as “deranged behavior,” Newsom framed it as a politically motivated overreach by the federal government—suggesting it was less about public safety and more about optics, fear, and control. According to Newsom, the deployment wasn’t just premature—it was a provocation.
He argued that the Trump administration had a pattern of stoking unrest through aggressive federal action, only to then justify further crackdowns under the guise of restoring order. In this view, the high-alert status of U.S. Marines in Los Angeles echoed past incidents like the 2020 Portland protests, where federal forces were deployed against the wishes of local leaders, leading to clashes and greater chaos.
Newsom stressed that California, as a sovereign state within the federal system, has the right to determine how to handle its own civil unrest. He underscored that if the federal government inserts itself uninvited—particularly with military force—it not only undermines the authority of state leadership but also risks inflaming tensions among an already volatile public. Newsom contended that such militarization could trigger more aggressive protests, turning peaceful demonstrations into battlegrounds.
By framing Hegseth’s move as political and reactionary, Newsom was also sending a broader message: that he sees federal interference as part of a deeper erosion of democratic norms and state rights under Trump-era governance. The exchange has since fueled debate about the limits of federal power and the appropriate use of military force in civilian affairs.
From a conservative perspective, the preparedness of Marines reflects responsible crisis management. With reports of protesters throwing projectiles and riots occurring during the raids, supporters see military readiness as a justified step to maintain order, especially when local authorities request help or decline to act the-independent.com+2foxnews.com+2thetimes.co.uk+2.
On the center ground, many accept the need for safety measures—but note that deploying active-duty forces against citizens without judicial warrants risks eroding public trust. They advocate clear lines of authority, consistent oversight under the Posse Comitatus Act, and a balanced approach to ensure federal backups don't overshadow local control.
This clash sheds light on bigger political tensions: the extent of presidential power, military rules in civil affairs, and the balance between law enforcement and democracy—especially during controversial immigration policy events.
Sources & Links
-
Reuters: California governor calls deployment unlawful time.comtime.com+11reuters.com+11nypost.com+11
-
Time: Newsom sues Trump and Hegseth over mobilization foxnews.com+15time.com+15the-independent.com+15
-
The Independent: Newsom and Hegseth trade public insults yahoo.com
-
CBS News: Report on 700 Marines put on alert theguardian.com+8facebook.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8
-
AP News: National Guard deployed amid protests theguardian.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3reuters.com+3
THE BRUTAL TRUTH JUNE 2025
The Brutal Truth Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research.
Comments
Post a Comment