Military and legal experts warn that Trump's use of the National Guard could undermine civil-military relations and question the appropriate role of the military in domestic law enforcement.

Legal challenges are underway, with California's governor suing over the LA deployment and Washington D.C.'s attorney general attempting to prevent federal takeover of the district.

In Washington, D.C., the president has greater authority due to the Home Rule Act of 1973, which allows the president to take control of local police and the National Guard, and Trump activated the D.C. National Guard in August.

The Insurrection Act allows deployment of troops if a governor requests it or if federal law is obstructed; deploying troops without a governor’s request requires proof of obstruction, which is often difficult to establish.

Most likely, the Trump administration would argue that federal law obstruction justifies deploying troops without a governor’s approval, citing the act's conditions.

President Donald Trump has invoked the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles and has discussed its potential use in other cities, citing the need to prevent obstruction of federal law and protect constitutional rights.

Legal experts confirm that the Insurrection Act grants the president broad authority to deploy the National Guard under specific conditions, such as protecting federal facilities and personnel.

Retired military officials assert that Trump has the legal authority to deploy troops to cities across the country, including Chicago, Baltimore, and New York, even if state governors oppose it.

Democratic governors of Illinois and Maryland, JB Pritzker and Wes Moore, criticize Trump's threats as overreach, raising concerns about militarization and conflicts with state authorities.

The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 generally prohibits military involvement in civilian law enforcement, but experts believe it may not effectively prevent the president's actions, especially in the District of Columbia.

Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have suggested deploying National Guard troops to cities run by Democratic administrations if those cities do not take stronger actions against crime, raising political implications.

Major Gen. Randy Manner confirmed that it is 'absolutely legal' for the president to take control of National Guard troops and send them anywhere, often to intimidate politically opposed populations rather than to address crime.