Military forces mobilized under presidential order, disputing state executive decision

Protesting Los Angeles: Trump Deploys National Guard - Contrary to Governor's Wishes

Let's dive into the hot button issue of President Trump's aggressive response to protests in California's bustling city, Los Angeles.

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Governor's opposition overlooked as Trump orders National Guard deployment - President Trump deploys National Guard against governor's opposition.

In an attempt to quell the inflammatory protests against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the Golden State, President Donald J. Trump is flexing his military muscles. Despite Governor Gavin Newsom's clear opposition, Trump ordered the mobilization of at least 2,000 soldiers from the National Guard. Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth even hinted at the possibility of using the military.

Newsom articulated his concerns that this heavy-handed approach, intentionally stokes the fire and embraces further confrontation. He declared that such a deployment is outside the role of the California National Guard, and it threatens to damage public trust. Despite an abundance of security personnel, the federal government is eager to create a spectacle. Newsom implored the protesters to uphold peace to avoid giving the government an excuse to crack down harder.

riding the wave of demonstrations that erupted on Friday, a few of which turned violent, in the LA metro area, protesters were rallying against ICE, who have been detaining and planning to deport undocumented migrants. Some protesters even hurled stones at the security personnel. The Trump-installed US Department of Homeland Security warned that this was the start of a massive escalation.

Defense Minister Makes Specter of Military Deployment

The National Guard was to quell the so-called "lawlessness" in LA, explained the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt. As the commander-in-chief, Trump remains committed to enforcing the US laws. In the official announcement, it was disclosed that the National Guard would be on duty for 60 days or as long as deemed necessary by the defense minister.

Pentagon head Pete Hegseth suggested that Marine Corps personnel based in California could also be called upon. "They are on standby," he shared on the X platform. Newsom reacted strongly, stating that the defense minister is threatening to deploy soldiers against American citizens on American soil. The defense minister's behavior, Newsom asserted, is deranged.

In the US, the National Guard normally falls under the control of the states. Trump's move to deploy the National Guard against the governor's wishes represents a significant upsurge. Mobilizing regular military forces, as threatened by Hegseth, would constitute an even greater breach of etiquette.

The National Guard serves as the military reserve in the US armed forces, with each state having its own National Guard to tackle incidents ranging from wildfires and natural calamities to instances of internal unrest. The governors command the National Guard in peace time, whereas during wartime or national emergencies, the US president takes control. In total, the US boasts over 325,000 National Guard members.

Trump Sends National Guard to LA: CA Senator Labels it "Unprecedented" Action

One of California's two US senators, Adam Schiff, referred to the deployment of the National Guard against the governor's wishes as "unprecedented." Its purpose, Schiff believes, is to sow chaos and escalate tensions. He called for an end to the violence, expressing concerns that Trump would revel in violent confrontations between protesters to justify using the military or martial law.

just before the White House declared its intentions, Trump had made a threatening statement: if Governor Newsom and the Mayor of Los Angeles failed to act appropriately, the government would intervene and fix the problem with riots and looters. Instead of using Newsom's correct surname, Trump called him "Newscum" - a nod to the English term "scum."

The play on words, a derogatory reference to the Democratic governor, highlights the political aspect of the case. Newsom, a prominent Democrat, is also seen as a potential candidate for his party's presidential nomination in 2028. Moreover, Newsom governs one of the most powerful states in the US, populated by nearly 40 million residents - more than a tenth of the US population.

As Trump faces criticism over his public falling-out with tech billionaire Elon Musk and questions about his tax and budget law, he might use the situation in California to bolster his political standing. During his term in 2020, there were mass protests against racism in the US following the killing of African American George Floyd by police. At that time, Trump also responded with a massive deployment of security forces, including the National Guard of the capital Washington, which is under the command of the federal government.

Protests since Friday - Use of Tear Gas

The deployments of ICE security forces stirred the protests in the LA area on Friday. The White House labeled these operations as "routine deportation operations." The security forces faced the protesters in full gear, complete with shields and helmets, and tear gas was used. Reports also suggested that rubber bullets were employed.

Mayor Karen Bass and the local police distanced themselves from the ICE deployments. They wish to continue avoiding cooperation with the federal agency within their jurisdiction to facilitate normal deportations. This reflects the stance of many city governments controlled by Democrats in the US, while Republicans advocate for the mass deportations pledged by Trump.

"Violent Rebellion" against State Authority?

According to the US Department of Homeland Security, approximately 1,000 protesters allegedly attacked ICE officers on Friday. The local police delayed their intervention for two hours, which the department criticized. During the week, 118 undocumented immigrants were detained in Los Angeles, including gang members and repeat offenders.

Attorney General Pam Bondi warned on X that anyone attempting to hinder or attack security forces could expect to face legal repercussions. FBI Director Kash Patel also threatened to deploy his agents. Trump's deputy chief of staff, hardliner Stephen Miller, even spoke of a "violent rebellion" against state authority. He welcomed the deployment of the National Guard and shared on X, "We will take back America."

In a nutshell, the deployment of the National Guard in LA is a spark igniting a political powder keg, characterized by legal challenges, heightened tensions between federal and state authorities, and concerns about the militarization of civilian law enforcement. The standoff between Trump and Newsom shows no signs of abating, and the future remains uncertain. Stay tuned for further updates.

The politics of the situation in Los Angeles, California, related to President Donald J. Trump's deployment of the National Guard, has escalated with Governor Gavin Newsom labeling the defense minister's behavior as 'deranged.'
As the debate around immigration policy and law enforcement continues, various news outlets have categorized this issue as part of general news, politics, policy-and-legislation, crime-and-justice, and war-and-conflicts.
Amidst the dynamic situation in Los Angeles, California Senate takes a stance on the deployment of the National Guard against Governor Gavin Newsom's wishes, with Adam Schiff labeling it as an "unprecedented" action, potentially aimed at sowing chaos and escalating tensions.