Thursday June 12th, 2025
Court Smacks Down Trump’s LA Troop Surge
Newsom scores a rare win, Trump fumes, and the EPA gives asthma a fighting chance. Plus: FEMA on the chopping block and monuments up for grabs.
Today in one sentence: A federal judge sides with Newsom, blocking Trump’s National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, while Texas doubles down on its own troop surge, the EPA’s regulatory gutting faces instant lawsuits, Trump’s FEMA demolition scheme draws bipartisan fire, and the legal brawl over national monuments is just getting started.
1. Judge Blocks Trump’s LA Troop Order
A federal judge granted California’s emergency motion, halting Trump’s deployment of National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles. Newsom hailed it as a defense against ‘militarization of democracy,’ while Trump threatened to escalate. Protests continue, but for now, no Marines on LA streets. (Gov.ca.gov, New York Times)
2. Texas Escalates Troop Presence Before Protests
Undeterred by LA’s legal win, Gov. Abbott announced Texas would expand National Guard deployments in several cities ahead of anti-ICE protests. Local leaders fumed over the lack of communication, accusing Abbott of turning cities into ‘military zones.’ (New York Times, Wall Street Journal)
3. EPA Rollback Sparks Legal Blitz
Environmental groups and state AGs filed lawsuits within hours of the EPA’s rollback of power plant emission and mercury limits. Health advocates warn of a public health disaster, while the EPA claims it’s liberating the power sector from ‘climate religion.’ (The Guardian, Politico)
4. Governors Slam Trump’s FEMA Dismantling Plan
Trump’s plan to gut FEMA after hurricane season is already facing bipartisan backlash. Governors warn that shifting disaster response to states will mean slower, deadlier recoveries—especially for poorer states. DHS insists it’s ‘states’ time to shine.’ (CNN, Washington Post)
5. Monument Fight Moves to the Courts
The Justice Department’s green light for Trump to revoke national monuments is expected to trigger a wave of lawsuits from environmentalists, tribes, and state officials. The White House doubles down, calling the move ‘pro-jobs and pro-energy.’ (Washington Post, Associated Press)
Notables
Baghdad Drawdown Worries Allies
With embassy staff evacuating and Iran rattling sabers, U.S. allies in the region are quietly pressing Washington for reassurance—don’t expect any.
Confederate Base Names Lawsuits Incoming
Civil rights groups are prepping legal challenges to Trump’s Confederate base renaming spree. The Pentagon is reportedly bracing for a PR nightmare.
AI JFK Docs Backlash
Tulsi Gabbard’s AI-assisted JFK file redactions are drawing flak from historians and transparency advocates, who say the machines don’t know a cover-up from a conspiracy (60% chance this snowballs).
Tomorrow’s headlines: same circus, new clowns.