Colorado joins states opposing Trump’s military deployment in California

June 12, 2025 (DENVER) – Attorney General Phil Weiser today filed a court brief with leaders from 20 states supporting California’s request for a court order blocking the president’s unlawful federalization and deployment of that state’s National Guard.

“Governors command the National Guard in their states and local law enforcement protects communities and keeps the peace. To federalize the National Guard in Los Angeles or anywhere else in the country, the president must have a legal reason—he can’t just make up an emergency out of thin air. President Trump’s decision to deploy armed soldiers into the streets of our cities to engage in civil law enforcement violates our laws and Constitution and undermines the liberties we hold dear as Americans,” said Attorney General Weiser.

The court brief outlines how Trump’s action is inconsistent with our nation’s founding principle that freedom depends on the subordination of the military to civilian authority.

“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, undermines the rule of law, and sets a chilling precedent that puts the constitutional rights of Americans in every state at risk,” the brief reads.

The president’s memo federalizing the guard does not restrict these actions to just Los Angeles or any specific U.S. region. Instead, it is an unlimited claim of presidential authority to deploy the National Guards of any state for the next 60 days. The states have an interest in standing up against this unnecessary and legally unjustified military call-up.

The states also have an interest in ensuring their National Guards are available to perform the essential services they provide the states on an ongoing basis, such as responding to natural disasters, counter-drug operations, and cybersecurity support, among other daily contributions to public safety. This unlawful federalization pulls service members away from performing vital services, and states are not in a position to replace them.

The president’s unlawful and unconstitutional use of the military has exacerbated safety issues and threatened constitutionally protected activity under the First Amendment. Every state has an interest in protecting their residents from these threats.

The brief is led by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings. Others joining are the state attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly also joined the brief.

Read the states’ amicus brief in Newsom v. Trump (PDF).

###

Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov