Attorney general and governor secure court order blocking unlawful use of federalized National Guard for law enforcement in California communities

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday secured a temporary restraining order blocking President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the U.S. Department of Defense from using federalized California National Guard to patrol our communities and engage in law enforcement activity.

The order, issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, found that President Trump’s actions were illegal — “both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution” and ordered the Administration to “therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith.”

The order is stayed until noon on Friday.

“With this order, the Trump Administration is blocked from using federalized California National Guard troops to patrol our neighborhoods or carry out civilian law enforcement work,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The right to peacefully protest is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy. We will not stand idly by as the President attempts to intimidate and silence those who disagree with him. As the President attempts to inflame tensions and stoke fear in our communities, California and our local law enforcement stand ready to protect our communities and their right to make their voices heard safely and peacefully.”

On June 9, Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit against President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth in response to their orders seeking to federalize the National Guard for 60 days under 10 U.S.C. § 12406.

In the early hours of Sunday, June 8, the U.S. Department of Defense, at the direction of the president, redirected hundreds of California National Guard troops from San Diego to Los Angeles, without authorization from the Governor and against the wishes of local law enforcement.

In total, the department has deployed 4,000 California National Guard troops from across the state, as well as an additional 700 Marines, which state leaders said is an inflammatory escalation unsupported by conditions on the ground.

In response, Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom filed a motion for temporary restraining order in their case, arguing that the use of these troops is illegal, creates imminent harm to state sovereignty, deprives the state of its use of the California National Guard, escalates tensions, and promotes rather than quells civil unrest.

California has the largest National Guard in the country, with 18,733 members, 12,212 of whom are currently available, according to court documents.

The full decision can be found here. 

Scotts Valley tribe’s case against Department of Interior moves forward; judge will consider evidence from opposing tribes

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Lake County tribe’s lawsuit against the federal government over a casino project is moving forward, with evidence against the plan by opposing tribes to be considered.

On Tuesday, Judge Trevor McFadden of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled on the Lakeport-based Scotts Valley Pomo’s effort to get a preliminary injunction against the U.S. Department of Interior over the agency’s March suspension of a gaming eligibility determination for the tribe’s Vallejo project.

Scotts Valley plans to build a $700 million, 400,000-square-foot mega casino complex, along with 24 homes and an administrative building, on a 128-acre site near I-80 and Highway 37.

In January, the Department of Interior, while still under the Biden Administration, approved Scotts Valley’s fee-to-trust proposal for the project. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, among the project’s opponents, said the January action by Interior was “an 11-hour Biden Administration decision to give the ancestral lands of local Patwin tribes to Scotts Valley.”

However, two months later, with the Trump administration in place, Interior withdrew that determination in order to reevaluate the relevant evidence. Scotts Valley filed its lawsuit on April 1.

In his Tuesday decision, Judge McFadden did not grant the preliminary injunction but indicated that he intends to resolve the matter expeditiously while also confirming that the tribe’s property in Vallejo remains in federal trust.

“We are very confident in the strength of our legal position,” said Scotts Valley Chairman Shawn Davis. “The court’s order allows the case to move forward quickly, and we are fully prepared to defend the integrity of the department’s original decision, which recognized our historical connection to this land and our eligibility to pursue economic development through gaming.”

The Yocha Dehe have argued that Interior’s process has been deeply flawed and unfair. They maintain that, contrary to federal law, policy and practice, that decision did not consider any of the extensive evidence submitted by other tribes — including local Patwin people. Instead, they said that the Department of the Interior disregarded widespread opposition from tribes, local governments, state and federal government officials, and thousands of concerned citizens.

In response to the decision, the Yocha Dehe said that Scotts Valley’s preliminary injunction, had Judge McFadden granted it, would have prevented Interior from considering comments and evidence submitted by local tribes.

The Yocha Dehe said McFadden’s decision to deny the preliminary injunction will allow the Department of the Interior to consider historical documentation demonstrating that the site of Scotts Valley’s proposed casino development project lies within the ancestral territory of the Patwin people.

“This decision properly rejects Scotts Valley’s efforts to silence our tribe and other Patwin people, who have worked for generations to protect the lands, waters, and cultural resources in Vallejo and surrounding areas of our ancestral territory. We have long advocated for a fair, transparent, fact-based review of Scotts Valley’s proposed project and we look forward to DOI taking a close look at the full evidentiary record,” said Yocha Dehe Chairman Anthony Roberts.

“We are confident that a fair look at the evidence will show Scotts Valley’s claims cannot be sustained. These are not their lands and they never were,” Chairman Roberts continued.

The Yocha Dehe said that Interior previously determined — on three separate occasions — that Scotts Valley lacks a significant historical connection to the Bay Area, one of the prerequisites for the band’s efforts to build a casino there.

The reconsideration will allow Interior to consider input from concerned stakeholders on the land’s qualifications for gaming, the Yocha Dehe tribe said.

The Tuesday ruling does not address the merits of the Scotts Valley tribe’s legal challenge, which is now set to proceed on an expedited briefing schedule.

The tribe said it continues to work diligently with its partners and the community to move forward while the court case advances toward resolution.

“This ruling represents one step in the process, and it brings us closer to having our rights upheld by the court,” Davis added. “Our land remains in trust, our commitment remains strong, and our resolve remains unshaken.”

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.

Cal Fire ramps up statewide hiring efforts

Cal Fire has launched a new website to help in its statewide recruitment efforts. Photo courtesy of Cal Fire.

 

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, has launched a new recruitment website, JoinCALFIRE.com.

This website serves as a one-stop destination for individuals eager to build a meaningful career with one of the nation’s premier fire and emergency response agencies.

As California contends with rising wildfire risks, increasing demands for emergency services, and the need to fast track mitigation and prevention efforts, recruiting mission-driven professionals across all disciplines has never been more critical.

JoinCALFIRE.com empowers prospective applicants with comprehensive information about the department’s diverse career paths — firefighting and natural resource management, defensible space, aviation, communications, human resources, land use planning, information technology, administrative support and more!

"We’re ramping up our efforts to recruit for Cal Fire to keep our communities safe,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

Through support from the Governor and Legislature — and as part of the state’s ongoing investment in wildfire resilience and emergency response — Cal Fire has significantly expanded its workforce over the past five years by adding an average of 1,800 full-time and 600 seasonal positions annually.

And, over the next four years and beyond, Cal Fire will be hiring thousands of additional firefighters, natural resource professionals and support personnel to meet the state’s growing demands.

“As our state faces unprecedented challenges, we are committed to building a team that not only meets but exceeds the demands of today’s emergencies,” said Cal Fire Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler. “Whether you’re launching your professional journey or looking to make a transformative career change, JoinCALFIRE.com offers the tools and resources to take that first step.”

With this scale of hiring underway, officials said JoinCALFIRE.com is launching at a pivotal time to streamline recruitment, improve public access to career information, and ensure the department attracts the qualified, mission-driven professionals needed to strengthen statewide readiness and response capabilities.

Key features of JoinCALFIRE.com include:

• Streamlined application paths for both entry-level and advanced positions.
  • Detailed job requirements, training information, and career progression insights.
  • Employee testimonials and recruitment videos showcasing Cal Fire professionals.
  • A calendar of statewide job fairs and hiring events.
  • Direct access to applications and recruiter information.

The state said JoinCALFIRE.com is more than just a recruitment tool — it’s a gateway to public service. Whether you're drawn to the front lines or interested in supporting the mission from behind the scenes, there’s a place for you at Cal Fire.

For those ready to answer the call, the journey starts now. Visit JoinCALFIRE.com to learn more.