SEATTLE, Wash. – Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, along with leaders from 21 states, filed an amicus brief supporting California’s request to block President Trump’s deployment of its National Guard.
Brown emphasized concerns about the president’s actions, saying it’s “a deliberate enticement to chaos” and “unlawful.” He assured that Washington would protect its residents if faced with similar actions.
The brief argues that Trump’s federalization of the Guard undermines the founding principle of military subordination to civilian authority. It states, “By calling forth troops when there is no invasion to repel, no rebellion to suppress, and when state and local law enforcement is fully able to execute the laws, the President flouts the vision of our Founders.”
The memo from the president allows for an unrestricted deployment of National Guards for 60 days, raising concerns among the states about the availability of their Guards for essential services like disaster response and cybersecurity.
Attorney General Brown, along with Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, led the brief. It was joined by attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, and other states, as well as Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly.
This collective action aims to protect residents from what they see as an unconstitutional military use that threatens public safety and First Amendment rights.
The full amicus brief can be read here.
