Gavin Newsom opposes National Guard deployment in Los Angeles during riots

In June 2020, California was significantly affected by civil unrest and riots, particularly in Los Angeles. President Donald Trump made the decision to federalize the California National Guard and deploy additional Marines to assist in controlling the situation, which was deteriorating due to violent protests. Governor Gavin Newsom, representing California, voiced his strong objections to Trump's actions, arguing that such interventions could be seen as authoritarian. Newsom's criticism was rooted in a broader concern about federal overreach and its implications for state governance. The tensions escalated as the legal battles began, with Newsom attempting to block Trump’s military deployments through the courts. However, a federal judge denied his request, allowing the deployment to proceed unimpeded. This situation brought to light the growing divide between state leaders and the federal government, particularly how each perceived their role in managing the crisis. In the backdrop of this conflict, prominent figures, such as Vivek Ramaswamy, drew historical parallels between Newsom's resistance to federal authority and that of George Wallace, a former segregationist governor. Ramaswamy suggested that Newsom's actions were reflective of a refusal to align with federal directives, likening it to Wallace's infamous desegregation efforts that aimed to thwart federal initiatives in Alabama. As the confrontation between federal and state responses unfolded, public opinion became polarized. Some residents and commentators criticized Newsom's decisions as ineffective and detrimental to public safety, while others supported his stance as a defense of state rights. The debate highlighted the complexities surrounding crisis management at federal and state levels, revealing deeply rooted political tensions that extended beyond the immediate circumstances of the riots.