Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asserts: "We'll prevent a reoccurrence of the 2020 events" during LA enforcement intensification.
In an interview on Sunday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the current administration aims to prevent a repeat of the chaos from 2020, following President Trump's call for National Guard troops to maintain order in Los Angeles amid ICE-related protests.
Noem's comments were in response to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz deploying the National Guard during the 2020 riots in Minneapolis. Noem criticized Walz for his "bad decisions" and accused him of allowing Minneapolis to burn for days. President Trump had deployed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C, as well, in June 2020 to quell protests.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom reportedly claimed that the Trump administration's decision to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles was "purposefully inflammatory" and would only aggravate tensions since, as per Newsom, "there is currently no unmet need."
In contrast, Noem defended the troop deployment, stating that they are specifically trained for crowd control situations, would protect buildings and peaceful protesters, and assist local law enforcement to keep order.
The first time since 1965 a president has "sent troops into a state without a state request" was in 2025. Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Brennan Center's Liberty and National Security Program, made the observation. LA Mayor Karen Bass expressed confidence in local law enforcement capabilities and denied the need for 2,000 National Guard troops.
In 2020, during the widespread civil unrest following George Floyd's killing, National Guard troops were primarily there to aid local law enforcement in maintaining public safety and protecting properties from looting, while their 2025 deployment could be utilized for direct support of federal immigration operations, which has raised oppositions from state officials.
- The current administration's policy and legislation indicates a focus on preventing a recurrence of the chaos from 2020, as demonstrated by Secretary Noem's comments about deploying National Guard troops for crowd control.
- The deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles during ICE-related protests and the various state governors' reactions offers a stark view into the intersection of law, politics, and general news, particularly in relation to war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and policy-and-legislation.
- The dynamics of politics are evident in the exchanges between government leaders like Secretary Noem, Governor Walz, Governor Newsom, Mayor Bass, and President Trump, with each party holding unique perspectives on the role and usefulness of National Guard troops.
- The use of National Guard troops in various situations, such as the responses to the 2020 civil unrest and possible future deployments for federal immigration operations, raises complex issues concerning the balance of power between federal and state authorities in issues like war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and policy-and-legislation.
