LOS ANGELES, CA — The City of Los Angeles has submitted an updated amicus brief in the case Newsom v. Trump, urging the federal court to immediately remove military forces from the city. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the brief supports Governor Newsom’s request for a preliminary injunction and provides additional facts at the court’s request to help inform its ruling.

Backed by Democracy Defenders Fund as co-counsel, the city argues they and the state are more than capable of policing the current protests without federal intervention and that the Administration’s use of the National Guard is both illegal and brazenly political. The filing highlights multiple incidents where federal forces overstepped their lawful bounds, including the National Guard pushing protesters on public streets and federal agents deploying tear gas and chemical munitions against demonstrators. These actions, the brief argues, not only escalated tensions but also obstructed the LAPD’s coordinated efforts to safeguard peaceful assemblies.

The City also argues that there is no “rebellion” currently underway in Los Angeles. Nothing occurring in LA right now reaches the level of a “rebellion” as understood in the relevant statute, or its historical meaning. Finally, the city demonstrates how they and the state of California have already faced irreparable harm from Trump’s actions, and requests that the court grant California’s request for a preliminary injunction.

In the supplemental brief, the City of Los Angeles emphasizes its strong commitment to both public safety and constitutional rights – and makes clear it has protected both without relying on federal military intervention.

The brief is available HERE:

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Democracy Defenders Fund brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state, and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.