AGs blast Trump for unauthorized use of California National Guard

New York Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday joined a coalition of 17 other attorneys general in condemning President Trump for unlawfully deploying the California National Guard against protestors in California, without coordination with state leadership.

“The president’s decision to federalize and deploy California’s National Guard without the consent of California state leaders is unlawful, unconstitutional, and undemocratic,” they said in a joint statement.

“The federal administration should be working with local leaders to keep everyone safe, not mobilizing the military against the American people,” the attorneys general added.

As the chief law enforcement officers of their states, they said they are “proud to protect our communities and oppose violence in any form.

“We support Attorney General Bonta in his challenge to the Trump administration’s illegal conduct,” the attorneys general said. “We oppose any action from this administration that will sow chaos, inflame tensions, and put people’s lives at risk – including those of our law enforcement officers.”

Joining Attorney General James are the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon and Vermont.