In a move that has raised significant concern among state leaders, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is preparing for the possibility of President Donald Trump mobilizing the military against the wishes of state officials, particularly following the recent deployment of National Guard troops in California.
Trump’s decision to call thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles came in response to protests over immigration enforcement, a move that Ferguson described as “deeply disturbing.
The governor held a meeting on Tuesday with the state’s top military official to discuss the implications of Trump’s deployment, which marks the first time in 60 years a president has called in National Guard troops to a state without the consent of the state governor.
Ferguson expressed concerns that Trump’s actions could escalate tensions, resulting in increased violence. “My job as governor is to make sure we’re as prepared as we possibly can be here,” he stated.
The president justifies his actions by citing the need to protect U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) agents and the general public amid demonstrations that have led to property damage. In response, California officials argue that local law enforcement is capable of managing the situation without federal intervention.
California is moving forward with a lawsuit against the administration over the National Guard’s deployment, asserting that Trump’s actions violate the 10th Amendment, which protects state sovereignty.
Trump’s administration cites federal law that grants the president authority to activate National Guard troops during instances of rebellion or danger of rebellion against the government, as well as foreign invasion or failure to enforce U.S. laws.
Democratic officials nationwide are closely monitoring the situation in Los Angeles, fearing it may set a precedent for similar military actions in their jurisdictions.
Governor Ferguson and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, both of whom are Democrats, stated they had anticipated such actions by the president since taking office in November. They highlighted Trump’s previous remarks about deploying the military to address civil unrest, recalling the use of National Guard troops in response to protests in Washington, D.C. during his first term.
Attorney General Brown emphasized that under the legal framework Trump is using, such deployments “shall be issued” at the governor’s discretion. He added that the circumstances in California do not meet any lawful conditions for National Guard activation.
“If the facts arose here that were the same as California, it would be illegal,” Brown asserted. However, he did acknowledge that there might be scenarios where the state could consent to a deployment.
The uncertainty surrounding potential military mobilization poses challenges for state leaders. Karina Shagren, a spokesperson from the state Military Department, noted the difficulty in planning for unprecedented situations.
In response to the potential for unrest in Washington, activists are organizing “No Kings” protests across the state, including in Seattle and Olympia this Saturday, coinciding with the president’s military parade in Washington, D.C.
Seattle has a history of large-scale protests that have sometimes led to violent confrontations and property destruction, notably during the World Trade Organization conference in 1999 and following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
Brown urged protesters to avoid violent actions that could play into the administration’s narrative and emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations that comply with the law.
The governor’s office previously considered deploying 200 National Guard troops to the Canadian border in a preemptive measure to combat drug trafficking and counter any federalization of the Guard by Trump. Although the plan was discussed, Ferguson ultimately chose not to proceed with that course of action.
State Adjutant General Gent Welsh, who commands the National Guard in Washington, has advised Ferguson on matters of security and military readiness.
In a proactive legal move, Ferguson has supported legislation granting him the authority to limit the entry of National Guard troops from other states into Washington, particularly in light of offers from Republican governors to send troops in support of Trump’s immigration policies. This law was signed by Ferguson in April and took immediate effect.
In other news, Ferguson ordered a small contingent of National Guard personnel to assist in the ongoing search for Travis Decker, a man implicated in the deaths of his three young daughters near Leavenworth.
As Washington state leaders brace for any developments following Trump’s controversial military actions, the underlying tension between state authority and federal power continues to spark debate and concern across the political landscape.
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