Gavin Newsom signs bill to block National Guard from California

California Gov.Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Saturday prohibiting military personnel from other states from entering California without the explicit permission of the governor.

The bill, which was introduced by Democratic state Sen. Bob Archuleta, establishes a requirement for the governor’s approval before out-of-state military forces can enter California to carry out military duty or law enforcement functions.

“SB 1354 protects California’s sovereignty by ensuring that military personnel from other states only enter California for appropriate missions and training,” Archuleta said. “Other states’ military forces should never be used to enforce federal law in California without receiving proper authority. Thank you Governor Newsom for signing this valuable safeguard which will protect the rights and safety of all Californians.”

Newsom’s office said on Saturday that the law comes as the Trump administration is “increasingly treating states as targets rather than partners.”

“While this law does not apply to federal active-duty personnel operating under federal Title 10 authority, with the Governor’s signature of this bill, it closes a legal loophole where other states could have deployed their military under Title 32 — even at the President’s suggestion,” Newsom’s office stated.

In a post on X, Newsom accused Trump of treating the National Guard as “his political weapon” and violating states' rights.

“California has seen enough. I just signed a bill PROHIBITING other state militaries from entering California unless they have explicit permission from the Governor,” Newsom said.

The legislation follows the federalization and deployment of California National Guard troops to Los Angeles in June of 2025 amid anti-ICE protests. Trump had ordered 2,000 California National Guard members into federal service and accused Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of inaction.

Newsom challenged the deployment in court, arguing that Trump had exceeded his authority. In 2025, a judge ordered the federal government to end its control of the California National Guard and return power to Newsom.