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Beshear signs letter criticizing Trump's 'abuse of power,' Republicans respond

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear talks about the gains in the economic growth f the state during the past year in Frankfort, Ky., Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
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Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear talks about the gains in the economic growth f the state during the past year in Frankfort, Ky., Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has signed a letter calling President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard and Marines in California "an alarming abuse of power." State Republicans have issued a response.

In the Democratic Governors Association letter, signed by Beshear, the governors say the action "undermines the mission of our service members, erodes public trust, and shows the Trump administration does not trust local law enforcement."

The letter takes the Trump administration to task for the deployments against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, adding that Newsom has "made it clear that violence is unacceptable" and that local authorities should be able to operate with the "chaos of this federal interference and intimidation."

In response, the Republican Party of Kentucky described the letter as expressing "opposition to President Trump's attempt to restore order." The RPK went on to criticize what it called Beshear's "delusional presidential fantasies," saying Kentuckians overwhelmingly support enforcing federal immigration law.