The Showdown in Los Angeles: Trump vs Newsom - National Guard Deployed Against Governor's Will
Federal authorities took action, mobilizing the National Guard over the objection of the state governor. - Military action ordered by Trump disregards wishes of state governor.
Take a seat, buckle up, and brace yourself for a wild ride because things are about to get heated in the City of Angels. US President Donald Trump is surging the tensions in Los Angeles by deploying National Guard soldiers over Governor Gavin Newsom's explicit disapproval. What started as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers has now escalated into a political chess game of stakes unseen.
Friday's protests, some of them violent, erupted in the Los Angeles area due to the arrests of undocumented immigrants by the ICE. Members of the US delegation referred to these actions as "routine deportation operations." Tensions mounted as protesters hurled stones at security forces, and Trump's appointed Department of Homeland Security is calling for an escalation.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House spokesperson, explained that the soldiers have been deployed to put an end to the "lawlessness" in the area. Trump, as the supreme commander, will ensure the enforcement of American laws for 60 days or longer—if needed. Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth, Defense Minister, hinted the mobilization of Marine Corps personnel stationed in California if the situation warrants it.
Not surprisingly, California's Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, expressed his concerns about this situation heating up even further. He points out that the National Guard's role isn't to handle these types of issues and warned the deployment would erode public trust. Instead, he urged the protesters to maintain peace and avoid giving the government an opportunity to intensify the situation.
A War Cry from Washington
One of California's US Senators, Adam Schiff, referred to the deployment of the National Guard against the Governor's wishes as "unprecedented." Schiff warned of the potential chaos and escalations that could ensue. He expressed his concern that Trump would use the confrontations between protesters as a pretext to deploy the military or instigate a form of martial law.
Before the White House announcement, Trump himself had already warned the Governor and the Mayor of Los Angeles that the government would intervene and tackle the problem with "riots and looters." Instead of using the Governor's proper name, Trump took it a step too far by referring to him as "Newscum" on the Truth Social platform.
This derogatory remark towards Newsom sheds light on the political dimension of the issue. With Newsom being a high-profile Democrat, who is also considered a potential candidate for his party's presidential nomination in 2028, this standoff takes on new meaning. California, an economically powerful state with close to 40 million inhabitants, represents over a tenth of the US population.
For Trump, who ran on the promise of mass deportations and projects himself as a tough sheriff, this situation in California could prove politically beneficial. Facing criticism of his tax and budget bill and a public spat with tech billionaire Elon Musk, the California showdown might be just what he needs to divert the spotlight.
What's Old is New Again?
The use of military or paramilitary forces against the wishes of local officials is a breach of the federalism principle and a rare occurrence. The last time the federal government activated the National Guard contrary to local officials' wishes was during the civil rights era and urban unrest of the 1960s and 1970s. The exact instances in California at that time are not well-documented in current public records.
This deployment is also a stark contrast to the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, where the National Guard was deployed at the request of then-Governor Pete Wilson and Mayor Tom Bradley following the Rodney King verdict.
In a nutshell, while the National Guard has been deployed to California for civil unrest before, the recent deployment to Los Angeles is a modern anomaly. It is occurring against the express wishes of the state and local authorities and has political implications that go far beyond the immediate situation.
- The ongoing political chess game in Los Angeles, involving US President Donald Trump and Governor Gavin Newsom, has unfolded in the realm of policy-and-legislation, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice.
- The escalating protests in Los Angeles, centered around immigration and ICE officers, have been marked by car-accidents, demonstrations, and violent clashes with the police.
- Amidst the heated situations, the California government, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, is expressing concerns that the deployment of the National Guard could escalate tensions further and erode public trust.
- In sports-betting circles, the ongoing standoff in Los Angeles between Trump and Newsom is viewed as a potential wildcard event, capable of significantly impacting politics and general-news cycles.
- The recent deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles, against the wishes of local officials, harks back to the breaches of federalism principles during the civil rights era and urban unrest of the 1960s and 1970s, providing a striking contrast to the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, where the National Guard was requested by both the Governor and Mayor.
