Marshall files a brief defending President Trump's decision to deploy National Guard troops against LA Rioters

June 12, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) has filed a 19-state amicus brief supporting President Donald J. Trump's (R) deployment of the National Guard in response to the violent protesters in the streets of Los Angelas, California. The rioters oppose the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. Marshall said that their violence overwhelmed local authorities and endangered federal law enforcement and property.

"We are unwavering defenders of the constitutional right to peaceful protest, a cornerstone of American democracy," said Marshall. "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."

The brief argues that President Trump acted squarely within his constitutional and statutory authority under Title 10 of the United States Code when he called National Guard troops into federal service to protect federal agents, property, and the rule of law, particularly when state and local officials in California allegedly failed to act while rioters overran portions of Los Angeles and obstructed federal immigration enforcement efforts.

The amicus brief recounts days of escalating chaos in Los Angeles, where federal immigration officers faced violent attacks, ICE buildings were surrounded and defaced, cars were set ablaze, and LAPD officers pleaded for assistance.

Despite the severity of the situation, California officials sought to block federal action through an emergency lawsuit. The brief forcefully opposes California's motion, calling it a political maneuver that undermines public safety and the Constitution.

The Bondi U.S. Department of Justice has strongly defended President Donald Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles, arguing that the move was legally justified and necessary to maintain order. The deployment, which includes more than 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines, comes in response to escalating protests over federal immigration enforcement operations.

Legal Justification and Federal Authority

In a court filing, the DOJ dismissed California Governor Gavin Newsom's (D) legal challenge as a "crass political stunt endangering American lives". The department argued that federal law grants the president authority to mobilize the National Guard when there is a rebellion against the government or when federal forces are insufficient to enforce the law.

The DOJ cited historical precedents, including President Dwight D. Eisenhower's (R) deployment of troops to enforce school desegregation and President Richard M. Nixon's (R) use of the military during a postal strike, asserting that courts did not interfere in those instances and should not do so now.

California's Opposition

Governor Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) have filed a lawsuit seeking to limit the National Guard's role, arguing that the deployment was unauthorized without state consent. The lawsuit contends that Trump's order violates the 10th Amendment and undermines state authority.

Newsom has called the deployment "an assault on democracy", warning that other states could face similar federal interventions. His administration has requested that the court restrict the National Guard's actions to protecting federal property rather than assisting in immigration enforcement.

Alabama joined the brief with Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, the Territory of Guam, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.

Marshall is a 2026 Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.

(A.I. contributed to this report.)