Protests in Los Angeles: What You Need to Know
Political tension in California: What authorities does Trump hold?
It's Hollywood-worthy drama: a U.S. President seizing control of a state's National Guard and sending in the regular military to handle ongoing protests against his immigration policy. While it may seem shocking, it's happening in California, under President Trump. Here's a lowdown on this unprecedented move, its legal foundations, and what could potentially follow.
Why the Action?
President Trump claims he's taking control of California's National Guard under Title 10 of the United States Code. Normally, the states manage their own National Guard, which serves as a military reserve unit and a part of the U.S. armed forces. But Trump's unusual move pivots on a provision in Title 10, which allows the President to gain control in the event of "rebellion or threat of rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States." He contends that the protests against immigration officers are a rebellion against the federal government.
The Powers at Play
What's the difference between the National Guard and the Marine Corps? While the National Guard usually falls under a state's control, the Marine Corps comes under federal command and is primarily responsible for warfare and national security. Although murky, it appears that the U.S. government is sending 700 Marine Corps personnel to Los Angeles to support the National Guard in protecting federal employees and property.
What's Next?
Broadening the authorities of the National Guard and likely the Marine Corps would require Trump to declare a kind of martial law and invoke the "Insurrection Act," according to attorney Stephen Vladeck. This law dating back to 1807 allows the President to deploy military domestically and participate in law enforcement to restore public order, typically not allowed within the U.S. Such a move raises many legal questions and has the potential to keep the courts busy for some time.
Intriguingly, Trump has already hinted at the possibility of invoking the "Insurrection Act" in the past during protests against racism and police brutality following the death of George Floyd. He maintains this stance, labeling the protesters in California as "insurrectionists."
The Implications of the "Insurrection Act"
If Trump invokes the "Insurrection Act," the deployment of U.S. military for law enforcement could potentially lead to arrests or raids, further political and social division in the country, and nationwide protests. "Everyone should pause when the president uses emergency powers and the governor and mayor say: Please don't, we don't need it," lawyer Jessica Levinson from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles stated.
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- The ongoing protests in Los Angeles against President Trump's immigration policy have sparked discussions about the use of war-and-conflicts related policies and legislation, with the President considering invoking the "Insurrection Act" for law enforcement purposes.
- The potential deployment of U.S. Marines in Los Angeles, along with the National Guard, as part of President Trump's plan to handle the protests could have significant implications for politics, general news, and social unity in the United States, including the possibility of arrests, further political division, and nationwide protests.
