Los Angeles in California has been gripped by violent protests since the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the city. Both Federal and Local Law Enforcement have been attacked, vehicles have been set on fire and looting has been rampant. Amidst the chaotic scenes, strong differences have emerged between the Federal Government and the State and Local Administration.
President Donald Trump has federalised the California National Guard and deployed them to quell the protests. This has caused severe consternation among the State and Local Administration. Governor Gavin Newsom has formally requested Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to return the National Guard to the state’s command.
Meanwhile, the Trump Administration is seriously considering deploying Marines to get the situation in Los Angeles under control. It will further escalate tensions between the Federal and State Governments as Gavin Newsom has already called the deployment of the National Guard as a violation of State Sovereignty.
Gavin Newsom wrote in his letter to Pete Hegseth, “There is currently no need for the national guard to be deployed in Los Angeles, and to do so in this unlawful manner and for such a lengthy period is a serious breach of state sovereignty that seems intentionally designed to inflame the situation.”
The spat between Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration follows a recent dispute between the two over taxes. Donald Trump had threatened to withhold Federal Aid from California, which prompted the Governor to threaten to stop state taxes from going to the Federal Government.
Demands for Secession of California grow amidst Los Angeles Protests
The acrimony between California and Federal Government has not limited itself to political differences between the politicians involved. Calls for ‘Cal Exit’ have again regained momentum. People from all sections of the American polity are advocating for California to secede from the Union. The demands appear to stem from the belief that it is in the best interests of both to part ways.
California should secede…
— Libertarian Mama 🔔 (@LibertarianMama) June 7, 2025
There are quite a few Libertarians who are demanding ‘Cal Exit’ for the best interests of the Union.
California should not only stop paying D.C. taxes
— Dennis Pratt (@DennisPrattFree) June 7, 2025
but also secede from the U.S.
It's already an alien state,
unaligned with most states.
It deserves its own path,
and we deserve freedom from it. #CalExit #NationalDivorce https://t.co/DR9kkEaVA4
California should secede from America so that it can set its own immigration policy. https://t.co/OaYTXz2iRD
— Libertarian Party NH 🦔 (@LPNH) June 7, 2025
The sentiments are shared by Liberals who appear to hate Donald Trump and the ‘Make America Great Again’ movement.
It’s past time to secede. FUCK MAGA!#CalExit
— Lynnez 🌊♥️🇺🇸 Rib Gone Rogue (@Lynnenallo) June 8, 2025
The correct action to perceived federal overreach in state matters is SECESSION. #CalExit
— Texas_Chris_ (@_Texas_Chris_) June 8, 2025
Balaji Srinivasan, a renowned tech entrepreneur, believes that it would be a win/win situation for both Democrats and Republicans if California secedes from the Union.
If California breaks away, it could be a huge win/win.
— Balaji (@balajis) June 7, 2025
National Republicans no longer have to deal with California’s 54 electoral votes. And Californian Democrats no longer have to deal with Republicans.
Everyone gets what they want. A blue state run by and for blues. https://t.co/MZn978DZJa
BlueSky is overflowing with posts demanding that the state secede from the Union. BlueSky is a social media platform that serves as the new save haven for liberal discourse after their immigration from X following the takeover by Elon Musk.
Demands for ‘Cal Exit’ are not new
After Donald Trump won the Presidential Elections in 2016, there was a huge ‘Cal Exit’ campaign by liberals in the aftermath of his victory. The Campaign Committee ‘Yes California’ deployed as many as 8,000 volunteers across the state in 2017 to collect the necessary number of signatures to put secession on the ballot in a March 2019 Special Election.
In January this year, the California Secretary of State had cleared a new ballot initiative by one Marcus Evans of Fresno to gather signatures to move forward. The campaign has to collect 546,651 signatures by July 22 this year to qualify to appear on the ballot in 2028. If the necessary number is reached, then the November 2028 ballot would feature the question, “Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?”
Even if the ballot measure were to succeed, it would not be sufficient to secede California from the Union. A Constitutional Amendment would be necessary to effect the secession. However, it is the first step on a long road towards it.
