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The National Guard is a state-controlled military force with the governor as its commander-in-chief. The President may take over command during foreign invasion, rebellion, or when the President "is unable with regular forces to execute the laws of the United States", but must do so "through the governors of the States" (10 USC 12406).

The Trump administration initiated deportation raids targeting school children and day laborers instead of violent criminals. In some instances ICE agents wore masks and failed to produce identification or warrants, and deportations were also being conducted without due process. Protests formed in Los Angeles against these questionable tactics, some attacking ICE vehicles, and in response Trump called up the National Guard.

The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, called on Trump to rescind his order and sued the administration for failing to go through the Governor's office as required by law. He called the deployment a "serious breach of state sovereignty".

The National Guard is rarely called up under Title 10. This is the first time in modern history when the National Guard was called up by the president over the objection of a governor. The President is in control of the District of Columbia National Guard, which Trump called up during the George Floyd protests over the objection of the mayor of DC.

Trump did not call up the National Guard during the January 6 insurrection despite requests from the mayor of DC.

References

• California sues Trump over National Guard deployment to Los Angeles (washingtonpost.com)
• US immigration officers ordered to arrest more people even without warrants (theguardian.com)