Federalizing the National Guard and threatening to arrest California's governor as he seeks to protect immigrant rights and peaceful protest displays the Trump regime's illegality and immorality
This is a calculated take over of our country by people tired of messy freedom. They support a goon because he will do what ever he is told... much more frightening that one fool pretending to be a strongman, issuing idiotic directives, using scapegoats. Though having a little-man for a leader ruins everyone's life, it is hell for the vulnerable scapegoats. Thank you Governor Newsom.
ASBermant, did you know you can correct the incorrect date in your comment? See the three dots (ellipsis) to the far right of your name? Click on them. One of the options is Edit.
This wannabe dictator, this empty husk of a man, Trump, will keep ramping up the pressure by placing increasing numbers of militarized personnel on our streets. It's all part of the authoritarian playbook. Trump's intention is to escalate the situation until he can declare martial law, seize all the levers of power and call off elections. Let's be clear: Trump is acting under orders from his overlord, Putin, to destroy this country from within.
We have no choice but to stop Trump through ongoing civil disobedience on a scale that is massive enough to bring his regime to a grinding halt.
Don't the values to which we aspire mean anything? Values such as the pursuit of truth, freedom, justice, happiness, compassion and kindness?
Surely, there are 12 million fellow Americans who are ready to take to the streets on Saturday? Anyone who chooses not to participate will be complicit in this evil.
If they weren't so believable, I would say Trump's latest actions--really, Miller's latest actions--were unbelievable. The armed forces vs. regular people exercising their First Amendment rights? God help us.
This reminds me of the moving “Wag the Dog” (i think that was the title), where to serve as a distraction they make up a war. The lawsuit is the right thing. So are the words of Gov Newsom. I cannot believe that my government is seriously wanting to turni troops on citizens. I feel like we are in some alternate timeline from the America I know.
We need more of what Gov. Newsom is doing. The more people who have a national platform to speak from need to start using it frequently and loudly. No kings! No treasonous people in government, no felons either. Good people need to keep the pressure on the real insurrectionists occupying our government right now. I hope we can survive and overcome this nightmare.
Excellent. Thank you. Could this invented, inflamed crisis be a diversion from some really frightening aspects of the budget bill? I think yes. These two analyses describe efforts to attack our democracy: Campaign Legal Center campaignlegal.org. Also, search 70302 of the budget bill, which, among other things, limits federal courts' constitutional power to enforce their contempt orders. Every senator needs to be called to sound the alarm. My experience with lawmakers is that all of them don't read bills so we have to teach them loudly and often.
"Democratic-led states become increasingly pressured to assert states rights" And what remarkable irony. After all, it was Democrats with a Democratic president who fought to end states rights in the South, making integration become the law of the states and of the nation.
However, the Supreme Court decided Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1954, during the (Republican) Eisenhower administration. Chief Justice Earl Warren, an Eisenhower appointee, was a Republican. Now that we've lived through Nixon, Reagan, and two Bushes and are currently dealing with the worst of the lot, this is hard to believe, but it's true.
You're right. Thanks for the correction. I guess it was under Johnson that the laws were imposed? I became friends with a grand-niece of Eisenhower. She said that, without doubt, he'd be a Democrat now.
The crucial Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were indeed passed under Johnson. I give LBJ so much credit for this. He was carrying on the promise of the JFK administration and (being from Texas) he knew exactly what it was going to cost him and the Democrats in general. He screwed up on Vietnam -- foreign policy wasn't his forte, and he listened to the guys David Halberstam famously called "the best and the brightest" -- but he rose to the occasion on this one and we're all so much better off for it.
Yes, he thought he should follow the people who were advising JFK. Such a tragedy. Re his courageous stance and work on Civil Rights moved our nation SO far ahead. I, too, am grateful to him for that part of his legacy.
Today the favorite word from the administration is “insurrection.” It reminds me of his first inaugural speech where he spoke of ending “American carnage“ which was not a reality until it happened on his watch. Now some of his ‘proof’ to justify speaking of these protests ans insurrection is the flags being waved (MX). It reminded me of how prominent the confederate flag was at the Capitol on January 6th.
It can’t be coincidence that on and off for months DJT brought up Gov Newsom as a possible presidential candidate — over and over again. Nor is it a coincidence that this Memo — authorizing federalization of the National Guard and using the military inside states — comes now. The same week as his birthday parade and corresponding national protests are planned.
This Memo never mentions a specific location, city or state. It is national in scope and includes this preemptive clause:
— “… at locations where protests against these functions are occurring or are likely to occur based on current threat assessments and planned operations …”
What sort of operations? Icicles rounding up American children and their taxpaying, employed, law-abiding parents, union leaders, great-grandparents, teachers and librarians, I presume.
Yup. They have a list of cities. The “sanctuary” list by state was taken down after the National Sheriff’s Assoc complained it was vague and arbitrary. There were over 30 states on it. Noem & crew said the list changes all the time & defended it. We can be sure they still use it.
Last month in AZ they “briefly” detained a federal marshal at a federal building where an immigration court is located. No details or date were made available. We have no idea how many citizens who don’t have law enforcement credentials are detained.
Not exactly true. LBJ federalized the National Guard in Alabama after the state troopers attacked peaceful protestors on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, on “Bloody Sunday”. It was a very different set of circumstances. It did involve peaceful protestors. (By nationalizing them the NG loses the ability to conduct specific law enforcement activities like arresting people.) Gov Wallace had agreed to call on the NG and then tried to pull a fast on on LBJ.
In this case the babbling coming from members of the Administration repeats the word “insurrection” across the board. I don’t think LA was ‘out of control’ or LA/CA were unable to control the situation. It looks like the WH wants that to happen.
I see 2 other things -
1. This is a national authorization. Not state or city is mentioned. It authorizes these actions if something might happen.
2. It can’t be a coincidence that protests are expected all across the country June 14th.
And as the article says Wallace & LBJ had spoken. Wallace had told LBJ was going to call in the National Guard, but followed that by publicly challenging LBJ to send in the military. 1 Black man had been killed by police & the police were beating peaceful protestors. IOW, law enforcement in AL was lawless. *A federal court had ordered AL to allow the march.
Very true. LBJ was using the Guard for one specific reason. As you point out, this time it is nation wide. Since Wallace had threatened in essence to call up the Guard for his purpose, could Democrat governors call up their Guard to preempt them being federalized?
That’s an interesting thought. I don’t know if it would prevent it but it would certainly add a wrinkle to figuring out the chain of command and duty assignments.
I hadn't been so happy with Newsom up to this point (he's my governor), but I'm extremely proud of the way he's handling this. Good for him!!
This is a calculated take over of our country by people tired of messy freedom. They support a goon because he will do what ever he is told... much more frightening that one fool pretending to be a strongman, issuing idiotic directives, using scapegoats. Though having a little-man for a leader ruins everyone's life, it is hell for the vulnerable scapegoats. Thank you Governor Newsom.
This madness is entirely planned. This is the moment White Cristian Nationalists have been seeking to achieve for a half century.
"We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.”
Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation and Co-Author of Project 2025.
When you attend a No Kings protest next Saturday, June 14th, make sure to wear a mask as a form of lawful civil disobedience!
Saturday is JUNE 14!! TRUMPS BIRTHDAY.
Flag Day. Celebrate President Obama day. Celebrate President Zelenskyy day.
Don’t forget Curtis Yarvin, Russell Vought
All the billionaires, especially Peter Thiel who found JD Vance groomed him paid for him promoted him right into the White House
These are all people that were part of the 2025 plan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcSil8NeQq8
Ah! Great idea!
ASBermant, did you know you can correct the incorrect date in your comment? See the three dots (ellipsis) to the far right of your name? Click on them. One of the options is Edit.
Thanks! You taught me something new.
Thank you for noticing! I’m traveling today so typing on my phone which I find extremely challenging!
Good Gavin. Good Trouble. Good Glory, finally a fierce and effective voice for The People. See you all on June 14. Let's be safe out there.
This wannabe dictator, this empty husk of a man, Trump, will keep ramping up the pressure by placing increasing numbers of militarized personnel on our streets. It's all part of the authoritarian playbook. Trump's intention is to escalate the situation until he can declare martial law, seize all the levers of power and call off elections. Let's be clear: Trump is acting under orders from his overlord, Putin, to destroy this country from within.
We have no choice but to stop Trump through ongoing civil disobedience on a scale that is massive enough to bring his regime to a grinding halt.
Don't the values to which we aspire mean anything? Values such as the pursuit of truth, freedom, justice, happiness, compassion and kindness?
Surely, there are 12 million fellow Americans who are ready to take to the streets on Saturday? Anyone who chooses not to participate will be complicit in this evil.
Or are physically or otherwise unable to do so. My parents are their 90s, and do not engage in this way. They do vote.
Some of us may break a hip if we fall. We take this very seriously.
Of course! That’s fully understandable.
If they weren't so believable, I would say Trump's latest actions--really, Miller's latest actions--were unbelievable. The armed forces vs. regular people exercising their First Amendment rights? God help us.
He plans to cause a lot of trouble.
He has been causing trouble non-stop since he was re-elected. He thrives on dividing Americans against each other, just like Putin wants.
This reminds me of the moving “Wag the Dog” (i think that was the title), where to serve as a distraction they make up a war. The lawsuit is the right thing. So are the words of Gov Newsom. I cannot believe that my government is seriously wanting to turni troops on citizens. I feel like we are in some alternate timeline from the America I know.
We need more of what Gov. Newsom is doing. The more people who have a national platform to speak from need to start using it frequently and loudly. No kings! No treasonous people in government, no felons either. Good people need to keep the pressure on the real insurrectionists occupying our government right now. I hope we can survive and overcome this nightmare.
We WILL because we must!
Weak and mentally ill
Great column today, Steven. I too was very proud of my governor!
Thanks for flagging that, Jill. Fixed.
Excellent. Thank you. Could this invented, inflamed crisis be a diversion from some really frightening aspects of the budget bill? I think yes. These two analyses describe efforts to attack our democracy: Campaign Legal Center campaignlegal.org. Also, search 70302 of the budget bill, which, among other things, limits federal courts' constitutional power to enforce their contempt orders. Every senator needs to be called to sound the alarm. My experience with lawmakers is that all of them don't read bills so we have to teach them loudly and often.
"Democratic-led states become increasingly pressured to assert states rights" And what remarkable irony. After all, it was Democrats with a Democratic president who fought to end states rights in the South, making integration become the law of the states and of the nation.
However, the Supreme Court decided Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1954, during the (Republican) Eisenhower administration. Chief Justice Earl Warren, an Eisenhower appointee, was a Republican. Now that we've lived through Nixon, Reagan, and two Bushes and are currently dealing with the worst of the lot, this is hard to believe, but it's true.
You're right. Thanks for the correction. I guess it was under Johnson that the laws were imposed? I became friends with a grand-niece of Eisenhower. She said that, without doubt, he'd be a Democrat now.
The crucial Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were indeed passed under Johnson. I give LBJ so much credit for this. He was carrying on the promise of the JFK administration and (being from Texas) he knew exactly what it was going to cost him and the Democrats in general. He screwed up on Vietnam -- foreign policy wasn't his forte, and he listened to the guys David Halberstam famously called "the best and the brightest" -- but he rose to the occasion on this one and we're all so much better off for it.
Yes, he thought he should follow the people who were advising JFK. Such a tragedy. Re his courageous stance and work on Civil Rights moved our nation SO far ahead. I, too, am grateful to him for that part of his legacy.
Let Mr. Trump remember this ,
“The observance of the law is the eternal safeguard of liberty and defiance of the law is the surest
road to tyranny. “
JFK. May 1961
Today the favorite word from the administration is “insurrection.” It reminds me of his first inaugural speech where he spoke of ending “American carnage“ which was not a reality until it happened on his watch. Now some of his ‘proof’ to justify speaking of these protests ans insurrection is the flags being waved (MX). It reminded me of how prominent the confederate flag was at the Capitol on January 6th.
It can’t be coincidence that on and off for months DJT brought up Gov Newsom as a possible presidential candidate — over and over again. Nor is it a coincidence that this Memo — authorizing federalization of the National Guard and using the military inside states — comes now. The same week as his birthday parade and corresponding national protests are planned.
This Memo never mentions a specific location, city or state. It is national in scope and includes this preemptive clause:
— “… at locations where protests against these functions are occurring or are likely to occur based on current threat assessments and planned operations …”
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/department-of-defense-security-for-the-protection-of-department-of-homeland-security-functions/
What sort of operations? Icicles rounding up American children and their taxpaying, employed, law-abiding parents, union leaders, great-grandparents, teachers and librarians, I presume.
Yup. They have a list of cities. The “sanctuary” list by state was taken down after the National Sheriff’s Assoc complained it was vague and arbitrary. There were over 30 states on it. Noem & crew said the list changes all the time & defended it. We can be sure they still use it.
Last month in AZ they “briefly” detained a federal marshal at a federal building where an immigration court is located. No details or date were made available. We have no idea how many citizens who don’t have law enforcement credentials are detained.
https://www.newsweek.com/ice-agents-detain-us-marshall-mistake-2081834
I’ve asked a few times, I read a while ago that if the Governor of a state activates the National Guard, they can not be federalized.
I can’t get an answer. Is this true?
Not exactly true. LBJ federalized the National Guard in Alabama after the state troopers attacked peaceful protestors on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, on “Bloody Sunday”. It was a very different set of circumstances. It did involve peaceful protestors. (By nationalizing them the NG loses the ability to conduct specific law enforcement activities like arresting people.) Gov Wallace had agreed to call on the NG and then tried to pull a fast on on LBJ.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/march-20/lbj-sends-federal-troops-to-alabama
In this case the babbling coming from members of the Administration repeats the word “insurrection” across the board. I don’t think LA was ‘out of control’ or LA/CA were unable to control the situation. It looks like the WH wants that to happen.
I see 2 other things -
1. This is a national authorization. Not state or city is mentioned. It authorizes these actions if something might happen.
2. It can’t be a coincidence that protests are expected all across the country June 14th.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/department-of-defense-security-for-the-protection-of-department-of-homeland-security-functions/
True. There is a distinction between then and now. I believe it is that Johnson was using them to enforce the Constitution.
Johnson was using it to protect the protesters
And as the article says Wallace & LBJ had spoken. Wallace had told LBJ was going to call in the National Guard, but followed that by publicly challenging LBJ to send in the military. 1 Black man had been killed by police & the police were beating peaceful protestors. IOW, law enforcement in AL was lawless. *A federal court had ordered AL to allow the march.
Very true. LBJ was using the Guard for one specific reason. As you point out, this time it is nation wide. Since Wallace had threatened in essence to call up the Guard for his purpose, could Democrat governors call up their Guard to preempt them being federalized?
That’s an interesting thought. I don’t know if it would prevent it but it would certainly add a wrinkle to figuring out the chain of command and duty assignments.