Plus: California Sues Trump For ‘Unlawfully’ Deploying National Guard In L.A.

Hey everyone,

After a couple years of 24/7/365 nonstop news coverage, I’m finally taking a real break—heading to Japan with my wife for our first vacation without our daughter for the next couple weeks. I’m excited. I’m nervous. Our daughter is in amazing hands, but leaving your kid—and your company—is no small thing.

That said, Mo News is in great hands, too. The incredible team will maintain our coverage of everything that matters on Instagram, the podcast, and this newsletter while I unplug (or at least try to).

Japan holds personal meaning for me. I have only been there as a reporter for work assignments over the years. The last time was in 2011 when I reported on the aftermath of the Sendai tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster—one of the most intense assignments of my career. This time, I’m going as a tourist. Less radiation, more ramen.

If you want to follow the journey, I’ll be sharing some behind-the-scenes moments on the Mo News Premium members–only Instagram feed. You can sign up at mo.news/premium.

Logging off for now from any news that doesn’t involve sushi, tempura, sake, and whiskey!

Mosheh

Mo News Founder

🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING

U.S. Marines Deployed To L.A. Amid Anti-ICE Protests, As CA Sues Trump Over National Guard Order

Approximately 700 U.S. Marines were mobilized by the Trump administration Monday to support the National Guard in LA amid anti-ICE protests.

Hours before, California sued the Trump administration for deploying 2,000 National Guard troops there without California Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent. Under President Trump’s order, they were told to remain there for roughly 60 days to help disperse protesters.
- The Marines’ mobilization is said to be temporary until more of the National Guard troops arrive — about 1,000 are currently in the city.

It follows an Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdown in L.A., with officers announcing Saturday that 118 undocumented immigrants were arrested the week prior. That includes more than 40 on Friday alone during raids at two Home Depots, a store in the fashion district, and a doughnut shop.

ON THE GROUND
While most of the protests have been peaceful, some turned violent, with people setting Waymo cars on fire and throwing fireworks at police. On Sunday, demonstrators threw cinderblocks on California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers on the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles.

There were more than 40 arrests and at least five law enforcement officers were injured during the protests.

Things were calmer in L.A. today, but solidarity protests have already emerged in San Francisco, Sacramento, Houston, San Antonio, Chicago, and New York, with at least 30 new protests planned for this week in major cities across the country.

On Monday, Trump said he would arrest Governor Newsom if he were White House Border Czar Tom Homan, who warned Saturday that the governor and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass could face arrest for obstructing federal immigration enforcement efforts. Newsom fired back, calling Trump’s threat an “unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.”

Trump also called the demonstrators “insurrectionists” and “professional agitators” who “should be in jail.”
- The remarks come just months after Trump granted clemency to all individuals charged or convicted for their roles in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, including those who attacked police officers.

THE LAW OF IT
Trump has not yet invoked the Insurrection Act — an 1807 law that allows the president to deploy the U.S. military domestically in cases of foreign invasion or domestic rebellion. When asked on Sunday whether he might invoke the law, Trump said, "It depends on whether or not there's an insurrection." His recent comments, including labeling the protesters “insurrectionists,” may be laying the groundwork to do so.

What it means: Given that the law has not been officially invoked, the Marines cannot participate in law enforcement activities.
In the California lawsuit, officials argue Trump overstepped his authority by taking actions usually reserved for presidents invoking the Insurrection Act.
- “There is no invasion. There is no rebellion,” CA Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) said. “Trump and [Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth] jumped from zero to 60, bypassing law enforcement expertise and evaluation. They threw caution to the wind and sidelined strategy in an unnecessary and inflammatory escalation that only further spurred unrest.”

It’s not the first time a president has used the power, though. President George H.W. Bush invoked the Insurrection Act to deploy troops to help restore order during the Rodney King verdict riots in 1992, at the request of the California governor. According to the Brennan Center, the last time the act was used against a state’s wishes was by President Lyndon B. Johnson during civil rights demonstrations in Alabama in 1965.

⏳ SPEED READ

🚨NATION

RFK ousts entire CDC Advisory Vaccine Committee (AP)
New Trump travel ban takes effect (THE HILL)
Is Musk going to start a new political party after fight with Trump? (TIME)
NIH scientists call on director to protect biomedical research (NPR)
One week after Boulder firebomb attack, thousands gather for 30th annual Boulder Jewish Festival (COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

Israeli forces intercept Gaza aid boat, plan to deport Greta Thunberg and other activists (MO NEWS)
Russia says it is sending more Ukrainian soldiers’ bodies to border amid spat over prisoner swap (CNN)
Thousands in Madrid protest against Pedro Sánchez’s government (GUARDIAN)
Iran threatens to reveal secret Israel nuclear data as pressure grows to reimpose sanctions (NEWSWEEK)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

Warner Bros. Discovery to split into two public companies by next year (CNBC)
New research says screen time is both a cause and symptom of kids’ bad behavior (CNN)
Gun deaths among children surge after states loosen firearm laws, new study finds (ABC)
Amazon announces $20B investment in rural Pennsylvania for AI data centers (FOX)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Sly Stone, visionary funk frontman of the Family Stone, has died at age 82 (NPR)
Tony Awards: Cole Escola becomes 1st openly non-binary artist to win Leading Actor in a Play (PLAYBILL) Hamilton cast reunites on stage for a ten-year reunion (CNN)
Justin Baldoni's lawsuit against Blake Lively dismissed by federal judge (ABC)
Call Her Daddy podcaster Alex Cooper accuses college soccer coach of sexual harassment (AV CLUB)
Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong shares message of solidarity amid L.A. protests (BILLBOARD)

ICYMI FROM THE 📲

In case you missed it… Ed, a pet zebra in Tennessee, was captured and airlifted Sunday, after spending just over a week on the run — and becoming an internet sensation in the process.

Ed was located in a pasture near Interstate 24 in the central Tennessee community of Christiana, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.

Now, Ed has been returned to his owner, whose identity has not been made public. There are 12 states in the U.S. that allow zebras as pets, as long as you have the right permit. 🦓