Does the President have unilateral authority to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles to quell protests? Or must President Trump consult with California Governor Gavin Newsom? In an excerpt from this week’s Insider episode, Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance discuss Trump’s decision to activate troops without a request from the state’s governor. 

In the full episode, Preet and Joyce dive into Newsom’s lawsuit against the Trump administration. Plus, they discuss Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S., where he now faces criminal charges for allegedly smuggling immigrants into the country.

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Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Supervising Producer: Jake Kaplan; Associate Producer: Claudia Hernández; Audio Producer: Nat Weiner; Deputy Editor: Celine Rohr; CAFE Team: David Tatasciore, Matthew Billy, Noa Azulai, and Liana Greenway.

REFERENCES & SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:

• “Department of Defense Security for the Protection of Department of Homeland Security Functions,” Presidential memoranda, 6/7/25

• 10 U.S. Code § 12406 – National Guard in Federal service: call