The Justice Department claims California's request to limit the federal response to violent riots in Los Angeles would "countermand" the president's lawful military directives.

California Governor Gavin Newsom took to the airwaves Tuesday night — with federal troops stationed in his state’s largest city and immigration agents rounding up residents — and warned Americans that democracy itself was under attack from President Donald Trump.

Trump and Gavin Newsom locked in bizarre LA protests meme battle - ANALYSIS: The administration and the governor have locked horns in courts, in back-and-forth statements, and, increasingly, with meme

Trump deployed 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to LA against the wishes of Newsom and Bass. Newsom sued the Trump administration, saying they unlawfully "trampled over" California’s sovereignty when they federalized the California National Guard.