Congress Moves Against Trump Amid Rising Calls for 25th Amendment

California Governor Gavin Newsom has warned that the state will take legal action if former President Donald J. Trump proceeds with deploying federalized National Guard troops to San Francisco. State officials argue the move would infringe on California’s sovereignty and raise serious constitutional questions about the balance between state and federal powers.

Newsom called the potential deployment a “direct assault on the rule of law.” Alongside Attorney General Rob Bonta and City Attorney David Chiu, he has previously filed lawsuits opposing federal use of California’s Guard forces under Title 10 authority.

Federal officials maintain that such deployments can be lawful when protecting federal property or interests, though the legal boundaries remain uncertain. The situation has become a constitutional gray area, testing the limits of executive power.

Earlier in June 2025, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that federalizing California’s Guard violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded presidential authority. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals later stayed parts of that decision, keeping the issue alive while it moves through appeal.

California contends that sending troops into civilian areas would breach the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in domestic law enforcement, and undermine federalism principles.

Supporters of Newsom’s stance say the dispute is about preserving state control and preventing misuse of federal force. Critics argue that the federal government must retain authority to act when state measures fail to safeguard national interests.

Ultimately, the standoff reflects a broader struggle over power and trust — raising the question of when federal protection becomes government overreach, and what this means for democracy’s balance between state and national authority.