Trump Insists He 'Can't Call in the National Guard Unless Requested' in Resurfaced Clip After Deploying Troops for LA Protests

In a newly resurfaced 2020 clip, President Donald Trump insisted he would never deploy the National Guard without a request from the state's governor, a stance that contradicts his recent directives in California.

"Look, we have laws. We have to go by the laws," Trump stated when asked how he would bring law and order to the nation during an ABC News town hall on Sept. 15, 2020.

"We can't move in the National Guard. I can call insurrection but there's no reason to ever do that, even in a Portland case," he continued, referencing George Floyd protests in Oregon that had turned violent. "We can't call in the National Guard unless we're requested by a governor."

On Sunday, however, the president ignored a request from California Gov. Gavin Newsom to withdraw his request for the National Guard's deployment in Los Angeles amid ongoing anti-ICE protests.

Many politicians, including Newsom, slammed Trump for deploying 2,000 troops, resulting in escalating violence across the city. At least 50 demonstrators were arrested as a result, according to NBC Los Angeles.

Newsom unleashed a string of scathing X posts condemning the Trump administration and president's "dictatorial threats." He also filed a lawsuit against the administration on Monday, claiming Trump "flamed the fires and illegally acted to federalize the National Guard." He added the lawsuit was filed to stop Trump from circumventing other state governors.

The president retaliated against Governor Newsom, suggesting it would be "great" if Border Czar Tom Homan arrested him for obstructing the administration's deportation efforts.

Originally published on Latin Times

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Donald Trump, Trump administration, National Guard, Los Angeles, California, Lawsuit