Former military leaders want to end LA’s occupation – “We’re aren’t a domestic police force”

CALIFORNIA – Governor Gavin Newsom’s motion to block the Trump Administration’s militarization of downtown Los Angeles heads to the Ninth Circuit.

Former military leaders are warning that President Donald Trump’s actions endanger servicemembers, civilians and constitutional norms.

Retired four-star admirals and generals and former secretaries of the Army and Navy filed another amicus brief outlining the grave risks of the state’s emergency request to revert control of the CalGuard back to Newsom.

Collectively, they served under each president from John F. Kennedy to Barack H. Obama.

They include Admiral Steve Abbot, United States Navy (Retired), Admiral Thad Allen, United States Coast Guard (Retired), Former Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera, General Carlton W. Fulford, Jr., United States Marine Corps (Retired), General Michael Hayden, United States Air Force (Retired) and others.

According to the court filing, their interest is ensuring the National Guard deployments for domestic law enforcement comply with the Posse Comitatus Act.

Diverts soldiers from critical missions

The filing said the CalGuard (which is part of the National Guard) is vital to the state’s disaster preparedness and emergency response. Diverting California Guard personnel from these critical state missions risks degrading the state’s emergency preparedness.

Poses a danger to the safety of all

In addition, U.S. military personnel are not trained for domestic law enforcement, particularly in emotionally charged situations or civil unrest. This is a specialized skill set that law enforcement officers train for continually.

Politicizes the military

The U.S. military’s apolitical nature is jeopardized by the President’s actions, which have “overtly pitted the military against his professed political opponents.”

Involving the military in domestic political controversies risks undermining its ability to recruit and retain servicemembers, garner broad public support, and ultimately achieve its core mission of protecting the nation.

Former U.S. Marine Infantry Captain Kyle Bibby said President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marine Corps infantry units on US soil is a dangerous power grab that will escalate the situation rather than help it.

“Any commander worth his rank knows to empower the leaders on the ground to accomplish their mission,” said Bibby.

To read the full amicus brief visit https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Brief-for-Amici-Former-Army-Navy-Secys.pdf