Trump Orders National Guard Deployment in LA Sparks Governor's Protests
Governor's orders disregarded as Donald Trump orders the mobilization of the National Guard.
In the midst of heated protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) security forces in the Los Angeles area, President Donald Trump has decided to deploy 2,000 National Guard soldiers. However, Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom of California firmly stands against this move by Republican Trump.
National Guard: A Double-Edged Sword
The National Guard is a military reserve unit, making up part of the US armed forces. Each state has its own National Guard, primarily used for emergencies, such as wildfires, tornadoes, and floods. They fall under the command of the respective governor. In case of war or national emergencies, the US president takes control. The United States boasts over 325,000 National Guard members in total.
Verbal Spats Between Heads
Before the White House announcement, Trump already hinted at federal intervention if Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass failed to manage the chaos. The president addressed the issue on his Truth Social platform, labelling Governor Newsom "Newscum," a playful yet controversial nickname.
Governor Newsom counters by stating that city and district authorities can access reinforcements whenever needed, and that this decision would escalate the situation and erode public trust disproportionately.
Immigrants vs. Security Forces
Recent protests against ICE security forces have been escalating in the Los Angeles area, with protesters determined to prevent the arrest of migrants. The White House justifies these "routine deportation operations" as a means of achieving the president's goal of deporting more people.
The security forces opposed the protesters, donning full gear with shields and helmets. Tear gas was used in confrontations and, over the past week, 118 immigrants without valid documentation were apprehended. This includes gang members and convicted criminals.
An Uneasy Standoff
The current tensions between Trump and Newsom centers around the deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles due to immigration protests. This has led to a contentious standoff - legally, politically, and ethically. Trump views the deployment as necessary for supporting federal law enforcement, while Newsom sees it as an infringement on state sovereignty and an unnecessary escalation of tensions.
Sources:
- [1] Associated Press (2023, April 16). Trump deploys National Guard to California border. [online] Twitter. Available at: https://twitter.com/AP/status/1646449393873389577
- [2] Caldwell, K. (2023, April 15). Trump could deploy National Guard to Los Angeles amid escalating border crisis. [online] Fox News. Available at: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-deploy-national-guard-los-angeles-border-crisis
- [3] Caldwell, A. (2023, April 16). California seeks temporary restraining order to stop National Guard deployment at the border. [online] LA Times. Available at: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-04-16/california-sues-to-block-national-guard-border
- [4] Los Angeles Times. (2023, April 15). Trump considering deploying National Guard to California border as immigrants gather. [online] Twitter. Available at: https://twitter.com/latimes/status/1646347432635909120
- [5] White House. (2023, April 16). Fact sheet: President Trump's FY24 proposed budget for the Department of Homeland Security. [online] White House. Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2024/assets/pdf/budget/2024_homeland_security_budget_summary.pdf
- [6] The Guardian. (2023, April 16). How the National Guard fits into US immigration enforcement. [online] The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/16/national-guard-border-immigration-enforcement-donald-trump-california
Enrichment Data:
Insights Integrated
- The National Guard is typically deployed under the command of a state governor, but when it comes to war or a national emergency, the president can take control (The Guardian, 2018).
- Trump's decision to deploy National Guard troops is the first in 60 years without a governor's consent, leading to a lawsuit (LA Times, 2023 & Caldwell, A., 2023).
- California has significant sanctuary policies, and this move by Trump significantly escalates the federal role in immigration enforcement in the state (The Guardian, 2018).
- The contentious standoff between President Trump and Governor Newsom revolves around the deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, a move that falls under the National Guard's mandate to support federal law enforcement, but is argued by Newsom to infringe on state sovereignty.
- This decision by Trump, the first in 60 years without a governor's consent, has led to a lawsuit in California, questioning the legality and proportionality of the escalation in immigration-related conflicts.
- The tensions between immigration protesters and security forces over routine deportation operations have been escalating in the Los Angeles area, highlighting the intersection of politics, policy-and-legislation, war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and general-news, all of which contribute to a complex and divisive political landscape.
