National Security Leaders for America Urges Restraint in Use of National Guard in Los Angeles

June 8, 2025

Washington, DC, June 8, 2025, National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is alarmed by the federalization of National Guard troops over the express wishes of the State Governor and despite the state’s confidence in its ability to maintain local order. This unilateral federal overreach risks politicizing the military and degrading public confidence in our armed forces. NSL4A, therefore, calls upon Congress to exercise its oversight authority to curtail the domestic use of the military to quell protests that are within the ability of state authorities to control and to avoid setting a dangerous precedent. 

Veteran military and civilian national security personnel from NSL4A are available for interviews and to comment. 

While we acknowledge the authority of the Commander-in-Chief to activate the National Guard in extraordinary circumstances, such actions must be based on clear necessity, credible threat assessments, and transparent coordination with state and local officials. No presidential administration should unilaterally override the authority, knowledge, and credibility of a sitting state governor, nor go against his official requests. Furthermore, the symbolically powerful deployment of uniformed troops into American cities should be reserved for extreme circumstances, not as a first resort against Constitutionally Protected First Amendment rights, such as freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. 

We urge the Administration to rescind this unnecessary use of military force. We also call upon Congress to exercise its oversight authority to ensure the non-partisan nature of our military and the protection of our Constitutional rights.