Governor Gavin Newsom is at the center of a growing legal storm involving federal authority, misinformation laws, immigration policy, and climate regulations — with several cases either already in the courts or potentially heading to the U.S. Supreme Court. These legal battles highlight Newsom’s aggressive approach to defending California’s progressive policies against what he sees as federal overreach, especially amid renewed tensions with President Donald Trump.
Newsom vs. Trump: The National Guard Dispute
In one of the most high-profile legal clashes, Newsom is challenging President Trump’s June 2025 order to federalize California’s National Guard and deploy troops in Los Angeles amid civil unrest. Newsom sued the federal government, calling the move unconstitutional and a violation of states’ rights under the Tenth Amendment.
Initially, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled in Newsom’s favor, ordering the Guard returned to state control. But the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals quickly stayed that ruling, allowing the federal deployment to continue temporarily. While the court rejected Trump’s sweeping claims of unchecked presidential authority, the broader constitutional question remains unresolved.
The case has far-reaching implications for the limits of federal power and could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
Courtroom Wins Against Trump-Era Policies
On a separate legal front, Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently marked a series of victories stemming from lawsuits filed during Trump’s presidency. The state has won billions in federal funding by challenging immigration rollbacks, environmental deregulation, and health care restrictions.
But Newsom cautioned that many of these wins — secured in lower courts — are vulnerable. A recent Supreme Court decision limiting the ability of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions could weaken California’s legal leverage in future challenges, especially as the Court becomes more conservative.
Deepfake Laws Struck Down on Free Speech Grounds
Newsom also suffered a setback when two laws he signed targeting deepfake technology were struck down in federal court. The laws, aimed at combating misinformation in political campaigns, required disclosure labels and placed restrictions on synthetic media during elections.
However, a federal judge in Sacramento ruled the measures likely violated the First Amendment and conflicted with Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which limits the liability of online platforms. The ruling was seen as a victory for Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), which had sued the state over the laws.
This decision has reignited the national debate over regulating AI-generated content without infringing on free speech.
Victory for Clean Energy in California Supreme Court
In a win for environmental advocates, the California Supreme Court recently ordered a fresh review of the state’s controversial rollback of rooftop solar incentives, known as NEM 3.0. The policy, implemented by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), had reduced the financial return for homeowners who install solar panels.
The court sided with solar supporters, instructing a lower court to apply stricter scrutiny to the CPUC’s decision. This ruling could lead to a reversal or significant revision of NEM 3.0 and marks a broader pushback against utility influence over renewable energy incentives.
What’s at Stake
Gavin Newsom’s ongoing legal battles reflect California’s unique role as a national legal battleground on key issues — from climate and immigration to technology and constitutional limits on executive power.
With several of these cases poised to make their way to the U.S. Supreme Court, the outcomes could shape not only California’s future but also set precedents for the rest of the country.
