DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado joined several other states in requesting a temporary restraining order after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard for the ICE protests in California.
On Wednesday, Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a court brief with 20 states saying that Trump’s deployment of California’s National Guard without the governor’s consent is “unlawful, unconstitutional, and undemocratic,” and it’s requesting a temporary restraining order.
This comes after Trump activated more than 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines after continued protests in Los Angeles calling for an end to immigration enforcement raids. The court brief is asking for a temporary restraining order in support of California’s request for a court order blocking the president’s deployment of its National Guard.
Colorado joins states opposing military deployment
The brief claims the presidential memorandum, “Department of Defense Security for the Protection of Department of Homeland Security Functions,” which federalizes the National Guard, does not restrict it to California, and it gives presidential authority to deploy the National Guard in any state for 60 days
The brief also said Trump failed to issue the required orders through the California governor, and by deploying the National Guard, it “has dramatically worsened the situation on the ground.”
Several states also want to make sure the National Guard is available for safety issues like wildfires, floods and cybersecurity, instead of being deployed to California, the brief states.
The brief said that throughout history, presidents have avoided the deployment of militia unless it’s absolutely necessary, and the Constitution “enshrines a deliberate balance of state and federal military control.”
It also states that the deployment threatens the First Amendment, and any violation of the law is usually handled by civil law enforcement, not the military.
“Governors command the National Guard in their states and local law enforcement protects communities and keeps the peace. To federalize the National Guard in Los Angeles or anywhere else in the country, the president must have a legal reason—he can’t just make up an emergency out of thin air. President Trump’s decision to deploy armed soldiers into the streets of our cities to engage in civil law enforcement violates our laws and Constitution and undermines the liberties we hold dear as Americans,” said Weiser.
The brief is led by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings.
Other state attorneys general joined, including Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont and Wisconsin. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly also joined.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
