Military forces are advancing upon demonstrators in Los Angeles.
In the wake of heated protests against immigration policies, US President Donald Trump orders the National Guard to Los Angeles, sparking confrontations and raising questions.
Tensions ran high as federal security forces and soldiers clashed with protesters near a federal prison in Los Angeles. Deploying tear gas, smoke grenades, and pepper spray, they managed to disperse angry crowds, as seen in photos and TV footage. The chaos didn't end there; local police joined the fray, using batons to push back the protesters, according to CNN live footage. A reporter on the scene reported that the police were trying to maintain peace between the protesters and the National Guard troops stationed near the prison.
Trump, in justifying the move, shed light on the "law and order" he aimed to uphold in response to the violent protests following immigration raids in California. "There are violent people, and we're not gonna let it happen," Trump said. "You're gonna see very strong law and order."
This deployment marks just one of several cities Trump has hinted at as potential showdown locations, spurring speculation about the use of the US Insurrection Act in domestic scenarios. When questioned about the possibility, Trump responded, "We're considering troops everywhere. We won't let that happen to our country." The threshold for deploying Marines instead of the National Guard already in Los Angeles remains at Trump's discretion.
The Big Picture
- The Protests: The protests in Los Angeles erupted due to ICE raids in the surrounding county, leading to clashes between federal agents and protesters. The situation took a turn for the worse, escalating into violent skirmishes that raised concerns about public safety.
- Trump's Troops: Trump responded to the protests by deploying approximately 5,000 troops, consisting of 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines. The move was aimed at protecting federal personnel and property during the protests.
As the situation continues to unfold, political tensions rise. Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed concern that the troops are not necessary, while Senator Susan Collins has raised questions about the use of active-duty forces for domestic law enforcement. The deployment without local consent has also raised concerns about the military entering partisan politics, potentially threatening civil-military relations.
Legal questions surround the deployment as well, as the Posse Comitatus Act generally prohibits federal troops from performing civilian law enforcement duties without specific congressional authorization. Nonetheless, Trump has claimed the right to do so based on threat assessments and planned operations.
Sources: ntv.de, tsi/dpa/AFP
Keywords: Los Angeles, USA, Donald Trump, Protests, US Military
Enrichment Data:- The context behind the deployment of troops in Los Angeles is rooted in protests against immigration policies and ICE raids.- Criticism and opposition to the deployment come from California leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom, as well as Republican senators like Susan Collins.- The deployment raises legal questions due to the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally prohibits federal troops from engaging in civilian law enforcement without specific congressional authorization.
The European Union, in alignment with a common policy on the environment, might express concern over the escalating tensions and violent protests related to immigration policies in the United States, as the deployment of troops in Los Angeles has sparked debates in the realm of general news and politics.
War-and-conflicts could escalate further as political tensions between the federal government and local leaders, such as Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Susan Collins, continue to rise in response to the unconventional use of the US military for domestic law enforcement, which has raised questions about civil-military relations and the constitutionality of the maneuver, given the constraints set by the Posse Comitatus Act.
