Newsom sues Trump administration over California National Guard deployment order to Oregon

"We're suing Donald Trump. His deployment of the California National Guard to Oregon isn't about crime. It's about power. He is using our military as political pawns to build up his own ego," Newsom wrote in a post on X. "It's appalling. It's un-American. And it must stop," he added.

"In response to a federal court order that blocked his attempt to federalize the Oregon National Guard, President Trump is deploying 300 California National Guard personnel into Oregon. They are on their way there now," Newsom, a Democrat, wrote in a statement. 

"This is a breathtaking abuse of the law and power. The Trump administration is unapologetically attacking the rule of law itself and putting into action their dangerous words - ignoring court orders and treating judges, even those appointed by the president himself, as political opponents."

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield wrote on X that Trump is "hellbent on deploying the military" to U.S. cities "absent facts or authority to do so."

"It is up to us and the courts to hold him accountable. That's what we intend to do," Rayfield added.

A spokesperson for the Pentagon referred questions about the deployment to the White House.

The White House called the lawsuit "political theater," with spokesperson Abigail Jackson saying Trump "exercised his lawful authority" and accusing Newsom of siding with "violent criminals destroying Portland."

The president's push to deploy National Guard troops nationwide has ignited repeated clashes with Democratic governors and mayors.

Trump has also threatened to extend deployments to other cities, including Baltimore and New Orleans. Troops have already been sent to Los Angeles and Washington.