Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has come out swinging in support of California Governor Gavin Newsom, as tensions escalate over President Trump’s controversial decision to send federal troops into Los Angeles during ongoing protests.
Healey didn’t hold back. “This was outrageous,” she said during a live panel at the Boston Globe Tech Summit. “Trump made the situation more dangerous, not safer—for both protesters and law enforcement.”
Her words echo what’s quickly becoming a chorus of concern from Democratic governors across the country, who see the president’s move as a serious overstep of federal power.
Democratic Governors Push Back
Healey is now one of more than 20 Democratic state leaders backing Newsom. They’re accusing Trump of abusing his authority by federalizing California’s National Guard without the governor’s consent—something that hasn’t happened in decades under similar circumstances.
“This is about more than protests. It’s about respecting the role of states in a democracy,” Healey added. “The president doesn’t get to override a governor just because he disagrees.”
Legal Fight Heating Up
Newsom, refusing to back down, filed a lawsuit earlier this week to try and stop the military deployment. A federal judge initially sided with him, temporarily blocking the order. But that decision was quickly appealed by the Trump administration—and now a panel of judges has put a hold on that ruling while the case moves forward.
A key hearing is set for June 17, and legal experts say it could set a powerful precedent for how far a president can go in using military force within U.S. borders, especially against the wishes of local governments.
Protests, Politics, and Power Plays
At the center of it all are the protests in Los Angeles, which erupted after a series of ICE raids led to the arrest of dozens of undocumented immigrants. While most protests have remained peaceful, there have been scattered reports of clashes, vandalism, and arrests.
Trump responded by sending federal agents, National Guard troops, and even Marines to the streets of L.A.—sparking backlash from civil rights groups, local officials, and governors like Newsom.
Newsom has made it personal. He’s called the deployment a “manufactured crisis” and even dared Trump to arrest him, saying he’s ready to stand his ground for California. “If they come for me, so be it,” he told reporters earlier this week.
Trump, on the other hand, claims the deployment was necessary to restore order and protect federal buildings. He’s also suggested—without any legal backing—that he could cut off federal funding to California if the state continues to push back.
From Streets to Spotlight
Beyond the courtroom and Capitol Hill, the protests have spread. Cities from Chicago to New York have seen thousands rallying in solidarity with California, while some conservative groups have called for counter-protests under the banner “No Kings National Day of Mobilization.”
Back in L.A., tensions remain high. The streets are still filled with demonstrators, but many now say the federal presence is making things worse, not better.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the cost of managing the protests and military response could top $130 million.
A Bigger Political Picture
For both Healey and Newsom, this isn’t just about one city or one protest—it’s about a broader fight for the soul of American governance.
Newsom, already seen as a potential presidential contender in 2028, is using this moment to position himself as a bold defender of state rights and civil liberties. Healey, too, is stepping onto the national stage by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
But the risks are real. Trump’s allies are accusing both of grandstanding, saying their defiance is inviting chaos and putting public safety at risk. With the legal battle just beginning, and more protests expected, this political standoff is far from over.
What’s Next?
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The Ninth Circuit will hear arguments on June 17 about whether Trump’s deployment should be blocked.
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Protests continue nationwide, with more planned in the coming days.
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State leaders are bracing for what could be a defining legal and constitutional clash over presidential power.
