19 Attorneys General Back Trump in Legal Clash Over National Guard in L.A. Riots

19 State Attorneys General, including Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshal, have joined to file an amicus brief in support of President Donald Trump’s decision to federalize the National Guard during the recent unrest in Los Angeles. The President’s move was aimed at restoring order during the ongoing violent anti-immigration protests in the city.

The brief argues that under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, the President had the authority to call federalized Guard troops into service to protect federal personnel and property, especially when local officials were overwhelmed and unable to enforce federal law. The brief points out that rioters surrounded ICE facilities, defaced buildings, attacked officers, and even set cars ablaze. According to the brief, amid rising violence, some California leaders “asked local law enforcement to stand down.”

The amicus brief raises three points:

• The violence present at the riots is unacceptable and the Government’s role—whether local, State, or federal—is to protect the citizenry from lawlessness and violence.
• Binding U.S. Supreme Court precedent analyzing similar questions shows that the President has authority, authorized by Congress consistent with the Constitution, to use the National Guard to defend federal employees engaged in their law enforcement duties.
• California failed to plead a valid cause of action in opposing the President’s actions.

The brief labels California’s emergency lawsuit opposing the deployment a political gambit, asserting it “undermines public safety and the Constitution.” 

In a widely watched federal case—Newsom v. Trump—Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued to block Trump’s orders, arguing that the scenes in L.A. did not rise to the level of “invasion” or “rebellion,” making the federal action unlawful under the 10th Amendment and the Posse Comitatus Act. Trump defended the move, citing reports that ICE officers were under siege and local police had lost control.

“We are unwavering defenders of the constitutional right to peaceful protest, a cornerstone of American democracy. But let us be clear: arson, assault, and anarchy are not protected forms of expression; they are violent crimes. In a moment when California’s leadership bowed to violent open border activists, and ordered law enforcement to stand down, President Trump acted decisively and constitutionally by deploying the National Guard to restore order and protect lives,” stated Attorney General Marshall. “While others surrendered to chaos and foreign agitators, he stood up for safety, stability, and the rule of law. We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the brave men and women of law enforcement, who hold the line between civilization and disorder. Thank you, President Trump, for refusing to let lawlessness prevail and for backing those who protect our communities every day.”

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah have joined the brief in support of Trump’s action.

With the anti-ICE protests ongoing in multiple cities, and more than 1,500 scheduled for Saturday, the current case of Newsom v. Trump has both urgent and immediate relevance nationwide. A ruling is expected by the end of the week.