The Insurrection Act is a federal law that allows the president to deploy the military and National Guard troops to suppress civil disorder, insurrection or rebellion. It was last used by President George H. W. Bush during the Los Angeles riots after the Rodney King verdict in April 1992.

In a formal letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Newsom demanded the immediate return of the troops, arguing that local law enforcement had sufficient resources to maintain order.