The statement, co-signed by 22 Democratic governors, came amid escalating violence in downtown Los Angeles as anti-ICE protests erupted into riots. The governors collectively criticized the Trump administration for bypassing state leadership and threatening to deploy US Marines into domestic urban areas.
“Governors are the Commanders in Chief of their National Guard, and the federal government activating them within state borders without consultation is ineffective and dangerous,” the statement reads. “Further, threatening to send the U.S. Marines into American neighborhoods undermines the mission of our service members, erodes public trust, and shows the Trump administration does not trust local law enforcement.”
The governors voiced strong support for California Governor Gavin Newsom, praising his efforts to de-escalate tensions while managing the crisis locally. “Governor Newsom has made it clear that violence is unacceptable and that local authorities should be able to do their jobs without the chaos of this federal interference and intimidation,” the statement continued.
Meanwhile, the situation in Los Angeles has grown increasingly dire. During a Sunday night press conference, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell described the city as “overwhelmed” by a wave of organized, escalating violence. Anti-ICE protesters have reportedly targeted officers with concrete projectiles, explosive devices, and unidentified liquids. Some rioters dismantled barricades and hurled debris from freeway overpasses, while others ordered Waymo vehicles for the sole purpose of destroying them. “There’s no limit to what they’re doing to our officers,” McDonnell said. “We are overwhelmed — not just by the number of people involved but the level of violence we’re seeing.”
At least 10 arrests were made Sunday night, and three officers were injured. Captain Raul Jovel noted that more arrests were imminent, emphasizing, “our officers are really under attack here.”
Chief McDonnell vowed to hold violent agitators accountable, citing surveillance footage and social media as key tools for post-incident identification. “These arrests will pale in comparison to what will be made,” he warned. “We will hold whoever we can accountable.” The LAPD declared an “unlawful assembly” late Sunday night after groups of rioters splintered throughout the downtown area, blocking roads near LA Live and the Crypto.com Arena.
McDonnell characterized many of the violent individuals as “professional agitators,” dressed in black and wearing masks, some of whom are believed to have traveled from out of state. “Some would call them anarchists,” he said. “Many of them aren’t even from here.”
While McDonnell initially suggested the LAPD could manage the unrest with standard procedures, he later acknowledged the potential need for National Guard assistance due to the severity of the violence. “Looking at the violence tonight, I think we may need to consider it,” he said. However, he also emphasized that there are currently “not enough of them on the ground.”
