Following President Trump's decision to federalize National Guard soldiers and position them in Los Angeles, a reported 57% decrease in fentanyl seizures by the California National Guard has ensued. According to the office of Governor Gavin Newsom, this significant drop occurred between May and June, emphasizing the impact of diverting the Guard from its critical roles in controlling drug trafficking and maintaining public safety.
While the National Guard troops were awaiting mission orders after being unlawfully federalized by President Trump, data from the Newsom administration indicates a steep fall in fentanyl seizures – from robust interdictions to a mere 260 pounds of fentanyl powder in June. As soldiers were pulled away from their pivotal public safety assignments to staff a political maneuver in Los Angeles, the consequences rippled across communities.
A substantial portion of nearly 450 servicemembers, typically under state command, were redeployed to Los Angeles, abandoning their roles in curtailing the activities of transnational criminal organizations. Governor Newsom remarked, "The time for each and every single soldier to come home — and go back to work — now."
The extensive military presence has not just disrupted the counterdrug efforts but also siphoned essential workers from their civilian duties. Teachers left their classrooms, and police officers were taken off the streets, resulting in a 3.1% decline in private-sector work attendance—a drop comparable to the work stoppages during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Echoing the economic concerns, a recent UCLA Anderson forecast predicts a downturn in vital sectors like construction, hospitality, and agriculture due to the combination of global tariffs and immigration raids.
In the wake of the federal actions, community and economic leaders have raised alarms. The repercussions of mass arrests, detentions, and deportations could potentially erase $275 billion from California's economy, also biting into the $23 billion of annual tax revenue. Undocumented immigrants, who were an $8.5 billion source of state and local taxes in 2022, play a significant role in the economic stability of the state.
Political and military stakeholders have also voiced their concerns about Trump's power grab. In the case Newsom v. Trump, a bipartisan coalition of 25 former governors supported Governor Newsom, emphasizing the importance of state sovereignty. Adding their voice, retired high-ranking military officers have also filed an amicus brief that underlines the risks posed by the federal usurpation of the CalGuard.
