Governor Gavin Newsom has accused the Trump administration of using fake photos to enflame chatter about Los Angeles protests. He says the White House is spreading disinformation. The images were meant to justify sending troops to Los Angeles. The controversy erupted during tense “No Kings Day” protests.
The “No Kings Day” protests were organized to oppose President Donald Trump. They coincided with the president’s birthday on June 14. Organizers planned demonstrations across the city. The protests aimed to challenge the administration’s policies.
Trump Deploys Troops, Citing Violence
In response to the planned protests, President Trump took a major step. He authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops. He also sent 700 Marines to Los Angeles. The White House cited reported violence against ICE agents as the reason. This move quickly escalated tensions with state officials.
Following the deployment, an official Department of Defense account posted a photo on X. The image showed burning police cars in Los Angeles. It was used to show current unrest. However, fact-checkers quickly identified the photo. It was from protests in May 2020, not 2025.
Newsom Accuses White House of Propaganda
Governor Newsom fiercely pushed back. His office called the fake image a “propaganda campaign from the Pentagon.” Newsom argued the administration was creating a false narrative. He said they wanted to justify an “illegal militarization of Los Angeles.”
The Department of Defense has not yet issued a formal response to the accusation.
Judge Blocks Trump’s Control Over Guard
The conflict quickly moved to the courts. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued an emergency order. He granted a temporary restraining order on Thursday. The ruling stops President Trump from taking federal control of the California National Guard.
This decision marks a significant, though potentially temporary, legal victory for Newsom. It challenges the president’s authority to deploy state forces without the governor’s consent. The situation remains a tense standoff between state and federal power.
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