Governors Newsom and Pritzker Demand Unity Against Federal Overreach in National Guard Deployments

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a joint call on Monday for governors across the political spectrum to come together in opposition to President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to deploy National Guard troops into states that have opposed the move. Both leaders threatened to withdraw their states from the National Governors Association (NGA) if the organization failed to take a firm stance against what they describe as an unconstitutional intrusion on state authority.

In a strongly worded letter to the NGA, Governor Newsom condemned the federal administration’s actions as a direct violation of state sovereignty. “It should not be difficult for governors of any party to agree that politicizing the National Guard and sending troops from one state into another—without the consent of the receiving state’s governor—undermines the interests of all states,” Newsom wrote, as reported by The San Francisco Chronicle.

He warned that breaking long-standing norms of cooperation between federal and state governments could set a dangerous precedent. “History demonstrates that once these norms are broken, they are difficult to restore—and the roles could easily be reversed in the future,” he cautioned.

Newsom made clear that California would take the drastic step of withdrawing from the NGA unless the group firmly rebukes the federal government. “If the NGA cannot unequivocally affirm that deploying troops across state lines against a governor’s objections is unacceptable, California will no longer participate in the association,” he stated.

Governor Pritzker echoed these sentiments in a separate letter, denouncing the move as an “illegal abuse of federal power.” He specifically criticized the Trump administration and Texas Governor Greg Abbott for sending Texas National Guard members into Illinois, calling it a “manufactured political stunt” that betrays the principles upon which the NGA and American democracy stand.

“This is exactly the kind of federal overreach we have warned against—where governors’ authority is disregarded, state sovereignty is trampled, and the constitutional balance between states is threatened,” Pritzker declared. “Should the President continue to override governors’ decisions and deploy military forces into other states against their will, we risk abandoning the foundational safeguards that have protected our Republic for nearly 250 years.”

Pritzker emphasized that the NGA’s credibility depends on consistently upholding its principles, regardless of which political party controls the White House. “If the NGA leadership remains silent on this issue, Illinois will have no choice but to withdraw from the organization,” he warned. Still, he expressed hope that the association would prioritize principle over politics and find a path forward together.

He concluded his message by stressing the importance of respecting the National Guard members themselves, saying, “The brave men and women who serve in our National Guard units must never be used as political pawns.” He urged fellow governors to “unequivocally denounce authoritarianism” as Trump and his allies attempt to override the will of state leaders and the American public.

The National Governors Association, which includes governors from both parties, has occasionally taken bipartisan positions on federal matters. For instance, on September 29, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican and current NGA chair, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat and vice-chair, issued a joint statement urging Congress to avoid a government shutdown. “The constant political brinksmanship over government funding serves no one well — neither our states, territories, nor citizens,” they said.

President Trump’s use of National Guard troops in domestic conflicts began earlier this year when he federalized California’s Guard to respond to immigration-related protests in Los Angeles in June. The administration then expanded deployments to cities such as Washington, D.C., Memphis, and Chicago.

However, a federal judge in Oregon recently blocked the planned deployment of Oregon National Guard troops to Portland, ruling there was insufficient evidence of significant violence or unrest that would justify such a move. The same court order also barred the Defense Department from sending additional troops from California or Texas, where plans were underway to dispatch personnel.

Despite the legal setback, Trump defended his strategy during a Monday appearance in the Oval Office. He asserted that Republican-led states were “eager” to support his efforts and insisted that “every one of them is willing to offer whatever we need” to protect federal agents and personnel.

This unfolding conflict highlights ongoing tensions between federal authority and states’ rights, raising critical questions about the appropriate role and control of National Guard forces during politically charged situations. Governors Newsom and Pritzker’s outspoken challenge signals a potentially broader resistance among state leaders who see the federal government’s actions as a dangerous encroachment on their constitutional powers.