Abuse of Power Fuels Concerns about the Health of American Democracy Under Trump's Administration
In the bustling streets of Los Angeles, tension runs high as protests against Immigration and Customens Enforcement (ICE) operations persist. Despite a city-imposed curfew on Tuesday night, the city remains on edge with no signs of de-escalation.
In response to the ongoing unrest, US President Donald Trump has opted to deploy approximately 700 Marines - known for their swift response and elite combat capabilities. According to a spokesperson from the United States Northern Command, these troops will help safeguard federal buildings and personnel, including ICE agents.
The protests, which began on Friday, stem from ICE raids targeting individuals lacking proper immigration documentation. Reports suggest that masked ICE agents have even arrested individuals on the street, reflecting the Trump administration's hardline stance on immigration.
A Presidential Move that Sparks Controversy
While the President typically cannot unilaterally deploy the National Guard within a US state, governors must authorize such deployments, California Governor Gavin Newsom has expressly rejected the need for the National Guard, and has taken legal action against the Trump administration. However, under the Insurrection Act of 1807, the president has the authority to deploy military forces without a governor's consent in cases of rebellion or civil unrest. Trump's decision to invoke that authority is considered an unusual move, given the importance placed on states' rights in the US federal system.
Governor Newsom has accused Trump of abusing executive power and warned that his actions threaten democratic norms. "California may be first, but it clearly won't end here," Newsom said. "Other states are next. Democracy is next."
Clashing with the Judicial Branch
Trump's clashes with the US judicial system are not a recent development. In his first term, he authorized deportations despite federal court orders blocking them. Since March, more than 250 non-US citizens - whom Trump has labeled as terrorists - have been deported to El Salvador. Flights to El Salvador's infamous CECOT maximum-security prison reportedly continued even after a federal judge ordered them grounded.
To justify the deportations, the Trump administration cited the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, arguing it allows for the removal of nationals from hostile nations without affording them a right to trial. The Trump administration claims those deported were affiliated with the transnational criminal group Tren de Aragua.
A Contentious History of National Guard Deployments
Increased tensions between states and the White House
The recent deployment of armed forces in Los Angeles is not the first time states have crossed swords with the federal government over National Guard deployments.
In Los Angeles, clashes between police and protesters have persisted since Friday, following multiple detentions by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Police have employed tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse crowds. Protesters, in turn, have responded with projectiles such as rocks, electric scooters, and fireworks.
The ICE arrests disproportionately target people of Latin American origin, sparking demands for the release of those detained. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum defended migrants living north of the border on Sunday, stating, "They are not criminals. They are good men and women!"
Increased enforcement efforts and widespread backlash
Since Donald Trump resumed office in January, ICE arrests have significantly increased, surpassing 100,000 as of last week. This surge has ignited nationwide opposition. Over the weekend, several dozen demonstrators protesting the raids were detained in Los Angeles.
International attention and the injury of an Australian journalist
As tensions escalated over the weekend, the situation drew international attention. Australian 9News journalist Lauren Tomasi was struck in the leg by a nonlethal rubber bullet fired by police while reporting live from downtown Los Angeles on Sunday. Speaking on Monday, Tomasi confirmed she was safe and unharmed.
Legal battle with California
Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the city on Saturday to support ICE officers. However, the legal basis for the deployment has been contested. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the move "purposefully inflammatory" and announced on Monday that the state plans to file a lawsuit against the administration.
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- The ongoing protests in Los Angeles against ICE operations have sparked a wave of international news, as President Trump has chosen to deploy around 700 Marines, escalating tensions in the city.
- The Trump administration's hardline stance on immigration, exemplified by ICE raids targeting individuals lacking proper documentation, has led to widespread migration-related confrontations and contention in the politics of America.
- Unlike regular National Guard deployments within a US state, which require governors' authorization, Trump's decision to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 allows him to deploy military forces without a governor's consent, creating controversy and threatening democratic norms.
- Since taking office, President Trump's policies and actions have frequently been in conflict with the US judicial system, as seen in his defiance of federal court orders blocking deportations and continued flights to El Salvador's infamous CECOT prison despite a judicial order to ground them.
- The Trump administration's spatial focus on enforcing immigration law has resulted in increased arrests by ICE, leading to increased clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators in cities like Los Angeles, with intervening media coverage on world events and human rights concerns.
- The deployment of National Guard troops to support ICE officers in Los Angeles has generated a legal battle between California's government and the Trump administration, with California Governor Gavin Newsom planning to file a lawsuit against the administration, citing the deployment as "purposefully inflammatory."
