Trump vs. California: Iron Man's Take on the National Guard Showdown!

Another Fine Mess Courtesy of Washington

Alright people Tony Stark here your friendly neighborhood genius billionaire playboy philanthropist and occasional news commentator. It seems things are getting spicy out west and not in the good taco truck on every corner kind of way. Word on the street – or rather the internet because who actually *walks* anymore? – is that the ex President Trump has authorized sending another 2,000 National Guard troops to sunny Los Angeles. And Governor Newsom is about as thrilled as I am when someone suggests crippling regulations on Stark Industries. 'This isn't about public safety. It's about stroking a dangerous President's ego,' Newsom tweeted. I've dealt with my fair share of ego stroking maniacs so I can sympathize.

Sue Me Sue You Blues

Apparently Newsom is so unhappy about this whole thing that he's actually *suing* Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. I mean talk about a power move! It’s like when Obadiah Stane tried to take over Stark Industries only less…explosive. Although knowing these guys never say never. Word is Trump federalized the first batch of California National Guard troops over Newsom's objections and the Governor is not having it. This is giving me flashbacks to the Accords – *shudders* – nobody likes being told what to do least of all yours truly. And you know elected officials. Allegedly.

Marines Oh My!

As if the National Guard wasn't enough 700 U.S. Marines have also been mobilized to L.A. to protect federal personnel and property. Seems a bit excessive even for a reality TV star turned politician. Reminds me of when I overdid the security at my own birthday party. Pepper nearly killed me. 'Only approx. 300 are deployed — the rest are sitting unused in federal buildings without orders,' Newsom tweeted. Sitting ducks anyone? Talk about a waste of taxpayer money. I could think of a thousand better ways to spend that cash like funding my next arc reactor upgrade.

ACLU Weighs In: 'Laughable and Alarming!'

The American Civil Liberties Union is not amused. Hina Shamsi director of the National Security Project at the ACLU said Trump's moves have been 'escalatory and inflammatory.' She added that the idea of Marines 'policing protests while respecting people's constitutional rights would be laughable if the situation weren't so alarming.' Ouch. Even I feel that burn. And I’m the guy who once told a room full of senators that I was privatizing world peace! But in all seriousness this is getting out of hand. We don’t need troops turning into glorified babysitters and we definitely don't need violations of constitutional rights.

Arrest the Governor? That's a New One.

Now this is where it gets truly bananas. Trump actually said he'd support arresting Newsom for 'obstructing federal immigration enforcement actions.' Apparently his border czar Tom Homan threatened to arrest Newsom L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and anyone else who got in the way. 'I would do it if I were Tom. I think it's great. Gavin likes the publicity but I think it would be a great thing,' Trump said. Newsom fired back with a tweet: 'The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor. This is a day I hoped I would never see in America.' Well folks I thought I'd seen it all but this is a new level of crazy. I guess even I didn’t see that coming. And I can usually predict global threats over breakfast.

Meanwhile Back in Reality...

While all this political theater is unfolding federal prosecutors have charged a labor leader David Huerta with felony conspiracy. And Chuck Schumer is calling the whole thing a 'diversion' from Trump's other issues. 'Americans do not need or deserve this unnecessary and provocative chaos,' Schumer said. Couldn't have said it better myself Chuck. So there you have it folks: another day another political circus. I'm Tony Stark signing off. And remember try to keep the chaos to a minimum. Unless you're building a robot army in which case hit me up. I have some ideas.