Trump, the Insurrection Act, and the California National Guard: Democracy Under Threat

In this episode of The Oath and the Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang unpack Donald Trump’s unprecedented move to take operational control of the California National Guard. Currently, the official mission is to protect federal buildings and personnel. But Trump has hinted that he may invoke the Insurrection Act to quell protests. That raises serious constitutional red flags—especially as peaceful protesters remain protected under the First Amendment. The episode distinguishes between martial law and the Insurrection Act, clarifying legal limits that Trump may attempt to ignore. Brettschneider also revisits his push for legislative reform of the Act during the Biden administration—a vital effort that failed to gain traction. The conversation then turns to federalism: with states like California resisting Trump’s overreach, the battle over sanctuary cities and states' rights has become a defining front in the struggle to defend democracy. Broadcasting from Finland, Brettschneider shares insights from recent meetings with government officials and academics. Despite ongoing threats from Russia, Finland remains a model of democratic resilience—something increasingly at risk in the U.S. Finally, the episode covers the latest in the Abrego Garcia case: while charges have been filed and extradition enforced, the due process of law remains intact—underscoring what’s at stake in this moment of constitutional crisis.