I’ve never lived in California.
But this week, as I read about troops being deployed to the streets of Los Angeles — without the governor’s consent — I felt something shift in my gut.

Because I have lived under uncertainty.
I’ve lived between countries.
And I’ve built a business based on the idea that remote work = freedom.

But what happens when the government reminds you that, at any moment, that freedom can be overridden?

The Showdown: Trump vs. Newsom

Let me back up for a second.

If you’ve been offline lately (good for you), here’s what’s going on:
President Trump ordered thousands of federal troops — including Marines — into Los Angeles, citing a need to protect federal property during protests over immigration raids.

Governor Gavin Newsom said no.
Trump sent them anyway.

Now the state of California is suing the federal government in court, arguing that the move violates state rights and constitutional protections. They’re calling it an abuse of power. A federal overreach. A political stunt with very real consequences.

And I’m over here in Madrid, watching it all unfold, wondering:

What does it mean when a president can bypass a state’s authority and put boots on the ground in your city — just because he can?

This Isn’t Just Politics. It’s Personal.

I write a lot about paperwork, remote work, and staying organized across borders. But the truth is, behind every spreadsheet or email system I set up for a client, there’s something deeper:

A desire for control.

For stability.
For a sense of safety — in life and in business.

So when headlines remind us how fragile that safety can be, it hits differently. Especially for those of us who’ve left one country looking for something better in another.

If you’re an expat, a dual national, a remote worker with roots in more than one place… you get it. You know what it feels like when systems shift under your feet.

A Government You Didn’t Elect, in a Place You Don’t Live — Still Affecting You

Here’s the part no one talks about:

You might not live in California.
You might not even be in the U.S. anymore.

But if your clients are there, your family is there, your team is there — this matters.
Because what happens in one place doesn’t stay in one place anymore.

Remote work is global.
And so are the ripple effects of government decisions.

I have clients who live in Spain but file U.S. taxes.
Clients who work from Paris but run ads in California.
Clients with green cards who worry about their next visit home.
Clients who write social media captions for brands that suddenly need to “pause posting due to the news cycle.”

We are all more connected than we think.

What’s Really at Stake

This isn’t just a feud between two politicians.

It’s a deeper question:
Who gets to decide what’s “safe” for you — and do you have any say in it?

When the president can bypass your governor…
When ICE raids ramp up without warning…
When military presence shows up in your city without a vote…

That’s not just politics. That’s real life.
That’s people canceling meetings.
That’s parents changing school pickup routines.
That’s freelancers wondering if it’s still safe to go live on Instagram from a coworking space.

So What Can We Do?

We don’t control the news cycle.
But we can control how we respond to it — especially as people building lives and businesses across borders.

Here’s what I’m focusing on this week:

• Checking in with clients — not just for tasks, but for how they’re feeling
  
• Reviewing where my digital work is anchored — and how vulnerable it is to political shifts
  
• Talking to my community — especially other women, immigrants, and freelancers — about how we’re staying grounded in uncertainty
  
• Continuing to build systems that support flexibility, clarity, and peace of mind
  

Because that’s the thing about being a virtual assistant — and a remote professional in general:

We work from anywhere.
But we’re affected by everywhere.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t expect a blog about virtual assistance to veer into constitutional law.
But here we are.

This moment — this tension between authority and autonomy — is exactly why I do what I do.

Because life doesn’t stop when the headlines get heavy.
Business doesn’t pause when things feel unstable.
And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is create order in your corner of the world — even when the rest feels like chaos.

If you’re feeling a little off this week, you’re not alone.
If you need help getting re-centered — in your workflow, your comms, or just your inbox — I’m here.

Remote doesn’t mean disconnected.

– Layla

If you found this post helpful or thought-provoking, share it with someone who might need it today.
Contact me if you need support — or just someone to help you breathe again under the weight of your to-dos.