Newsom Warns Trump Could Invoke Insurrection Act to Deploy Troops Across U.S. Cities
California Gov. Gavin Newsom told MSNBC he believes Donald Trump could again deploy troops to American cities, and suggested the next legal tool Trump might use is the Insurrection Act — a move that would escalate tensions over federal use of military power at home. According to an exclusive interview with Jacob Soboroff on MS NOW, Newsom said he sees a high likelihood of future federal action.
The governor’s warning adds fresh conflict to an already contentious national debate over the limits of presidential authority and domestic deployments of troops. Trump’s 2025 use of National Guard members and other federal forces in cities from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., drew sharp criticism from state officials and legal challenges in court.
In the interview snippet posted by Soboroff, Newsom said, “The next phase of this is the Insurrection Act… there’s no question in my mind that he’s going to assert some other cockamamie decision.”
Follow The Coffman Chronicle on NewsBreak for daily breaking political coverage.
Newsom’s comments underscore frustrations from Democratic leaders who view federal troop deployments without state consent as unconstitutional or politically motivated. Courts have already blocked some actions and returned Guard control to states, raising unresolved questions about how far the federal government can go.
Legal experts note the Insurrection Act of 1807 has strict conditions and has only rarely been invoked in domestic contexts, meaning any future use would likely trigger more legal battles.
If Trump pursues such authority, expect renewed court challenges and heightened political debate over federal versus state control of military forces. Tonight’s full interview is set to air on MS NOW. The political and legal tug-of-war over troop deployments is far from over.
Follow The Coffman Chronicle on NewsBreak for daily breaking political coverage.