Attorney General Bonta Issues Statement on Conclusion of Trial in California’s Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Unlawful Use of National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement on the conclusion of the three-day trial in California’s lawsuit challenging the unlawful use of federalized California National Guard troops and Marines for civilian law enforcement in Los Angeles:

“Before the trial began, I issued a statement expressing confidence that the evidence would show that the Trump Administration violated the Posse Comitatus Act. Now that the trial has ended, I remain confident. Our legal team did a great job,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We asked the court to grant a permanent injunction to stop the Administration from using the military for domestic law enforcement and maintaining a standing army in Southern California. We made a compelling case — backed by facts and specifics — and we look forward to getting a decision in the near future.” 

The Posse Comitatus Act generally prohibits members of the military from engaging in civilian law enforcement activities. During the three-day trial, California showed that, in its orders to the federalized California National Guard and Marines, the Trump Administration violated the three applicable tests under the Act: 

• The Trump Administration is making direct, active use of military personnel to execute the law, including through the provision of armed perimeter support and blockades, apprehension and detention of civilians, and — in the weeks following the June mobilization orders — participating in an estimated three out of every four immigration raids in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. 
• The Trump Administration’s use of military personnel clearly pervades the activities of civilian law enforcement. 
• Under the Trump Administration’s command, federalized National Guard members have subjected civilians to the exercise of proscriptive military power.  

Attorney General Bonta is committed to holding President Trump and his administration accountable for overreaching their authority under the law and infringing on Californians’ constitutional rights. Separate from this lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta led a multistate coalition in filing an amicus brief in support of a court order blocking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from engaging in unconstitutional and unlawful stops of Los Angeles residents during immigration sweeps.