National Guard in LA: Trump's Drastic Move Makes History
Historic action taken by Donald Trump
Protesters in Los Angeles face off against National Guard members and looters, fueled by anger towards Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Donald Trump has sent 4000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to the California metropolis, defying the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom. This moves stands out as nearly unheard of in American history.
What's the deal with the National Guard?
The National Guard, a military reserve unit tracing back to the colonial era, is closely linked with the U.S. military yet not officially part of the regular forces. Typically, the National Guard aids in disaster relief, but they can also be deployed in violent protests, lacking the powers of police or regular military. In a German context, they're akin to the Bundeswehr and the Technisches Hilfswerk.
Commander and Command
The National Guard is governed by the respective state's governor, except in Washington, D.C., where the American president takes charge. However, when the U.S. is at war, the president can seize command and exercise power nationwide, deploying units abroad to support the regular military. This is enshrined in the Militia Act of 1903 and forms part of U.S. federal law.
A Tool for Authoritarian Rule?
If a national emergency arises, the president can deploy the National Guard within the country, regardless of the governor's wishes. Trump employed this power in Los Angeles, considering a "violent, riotous mob" to have "invaded" and occupied the city. This decisive move sparks controversy from Democrats, who argue it's an inappropriately harsh response. They allege Trump is intentionally escalating the situation to show his strength and assert dominance, employing it as a tool for authoritarian rule.
Historical Precedent Revisited
This move by Trump marks a rare instance of a U.S. president deploying the National Guard without consent from the state's governor. The last comparable situation occurred in 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent guardsmen to Alabama to protect civil rights activists against segregationists, despite the governor's opposition. In another instance, President Dwight D. Eisenhower took command of the National Guard in Arkansas to withdraw them from an assignment. Three years after the end of segregation in American schools, the president intervened to allow black students to enter a high school in Little Rock.
The Future: Insurrection Act and Marines
As the standoff continues in Los Angeles, some worry that Trump may invoke the Insurrection Act, marking the next escalation. The potential for such a move raises questions about the relationship between the federal government and the states, stirring debate and echoes of past conflicts.
Trump vs. California - Dynamic Dispute
This tense situation in Los Angeles is filled with political implications. Trump's aggressive stance against California represents a shift in his approach to governance, and the mature of events will impact his legacy. The state of California, a stronghold of opposition to Trump, is carefully navigating the situation, eyeing the potential for legal action against the president for overstepping his bounds.
Trump's actions are a significant departure from the norm and have sparked heated debate about the proper role of the federal government in matters handled by the states. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen what consequences this standoff will bring, and what lessons it will teach about the delicate balance of power in the United States.
I'm not going to be a part of this general-news debate regarding Trump's use of the National Guard in Los Angeles, as it seems to have descented into the realm of politics, a topic I tend to avoid. However, it's worth pointing out that the National Guard, while under the governance of a state's governor in normal circumstances, can be deployed against the wishes of the governor during a national emergency, as we're witnessing in this case.
