Military Personnel Deployed Unilaterally: Trump's Disregard for State Governor's Decision on National Guard Deployment

Unprecedented Action: Trump Deploys National Guard Amidst Governor's Objections in LA Protests

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Military forces, under President Trump's command, mobilized National Guard troops - in defiance of the governor's preference. - President Trump deploys National Guard against governor's opposition.

In a move that has sparked controversy, US President Donald Trump has decided to counteract the protests against ICE officers in California with the assistance of military security forces, despite the express wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom. Trump ordered the deployment of at least 2,000 soldiers from the National Guard to manage the situation, a move that Newsom believes serves to escalate the situation.

Newsom stated that this step was intentionally aggravating and encouraged further confrontation. He noted that the National Guard's role in the state is not to engage in such conflicts and asserted that it would harm public trust. He pleaded with the protesters to maintain peace and give the government no reason to instigate unrest.

The confrontations that arose on Friday, some of which turned violent, targeted ICE security forces who were apprehending undocumented migrants for deportation. Some protesters hurled stones at the security forces. The Trump-appointed US Department of Homeland Security described the situation as an escalation.

Pentagon Chief's Threat of Military Deployment

The National Guard, according to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, would put an end to "lawlessness" in the Los Angeles area. Trump, serving as Commander-in-Chief, would guarantee the enforcement of U.S. laws. The official announcement stated that the National Guard would be deployed for 60 days or as long as deemed necessary by the Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth hinted at the possibility of mobilizing Marine Corps personnel stationed in California if needed. "They're on high alert," he wrote on the X platform. Newsom reacted with astonishment: "The Defense Secretary is threatening to deploy soldiers 'on American soil against its own citizens'," he wrote on X. "That's insane behavior."

In the U.S., the National Guard generally falls under a state's control. Deploying the National Guard against the wishes of a state as Trump has done is a significant escalation. Mobilizing the regular military force within the country, as suggested by Hegseth, would be even more of a breach of tradition.

The National Guard is a military reserve unit that falls under the U.S. armed forces. Each state has its own National Guard, which can be put to use for handling natural disasters, forest fires, tornadoes, or internal unrest. It then comes under the command of the respective governor. In times of war or national emergencies, the US president can assume command. In total, the US has over 325,000 National Guard members.

Political Power Play: Trump vs Newsom

Just before the White House announcement, Trump had already made a threat: If Governor Newsom and the Mayor of Los Angeles failed to carry out their responsibilities properly, the government would intervene and resolve the issue with "riots and looters." Instead of using Newsom's correct surname, Trump referred to him as "Newscum" on his Truth Social platform, a play on the English word "scum."

This insult to the Democratic governor also signifies the political nature of the situation: Newsom is not only one of the most prominent Democrats, but he is also speculated to be a potential candidate for his party's presidential nomination in 2028. Moreover, Newsom governs an economically powerful state with almost 40 million residents - more than a tenth of the U.S. population.

Meanwhile, Trump gained office by promising mass deportations and often presents himself as a strong law enforcer. Focusing on the situation in California could hold political benefits for him, as he has had to face questions for days about his public dispute with tech billionaire Elon Musk and is facing criticism of his tax and budget law.

Protests since Friday: Use of Tear Gas

Deployments of ICE security forces led to protests in the Los Angeles area on Friday. They were attempting to detain undocumented migrants without valid residence permits, with the White House describing it as "routine deportation operations." The security forces clashed with protesters in full gear, drugs, and riot shields, and tear gas was used. Local media reports also suggest that rubber bullets were utilized.

Mayor Karen Bass and the local police distanced themselves from the ICE deployments. They have no intention of assisting the federal agency in their jurisdiction to facilitate normal deportations, as many city governments controlled by Democrats in the U.S. do. Meanwhile, Republicans are keen on implementing the mass deportations announced by Trump.

"Violent uprising" against the state?

According to the US Department of Homeland Security, around 1,000 protesters attacked ICE officers on Friday. The local police only intervened after a couple of hours, with the ministry expressing dissatisfaction. During the week, 118 foreigners without valid residence permits were arrested in Los Angeles, including gang members and repeat offenders.

Attorney General Pam Bondi warned on X that anyone hindering or attacking security forces could expect prosecution. FBI Director Kash Patel also threatened to deploy his agents. Trump's deputy chief of staff, hardliner Stephen Miller, even spoke of a "violent uprising" against the state. He welcomed the deployment of the National Guard and wrote on X: "We will retake America."

Historical Precedence:The deployment of the National Guard by a U.S. President against a state governor's wishes is an uncommon and disputed action. The President has the authority to deploy the National Guard in certain circumstances, such as during civil unrest or natural disasters, under specific provisions of federal law. This authority dates back to 1792 but has been used sparingly[4]. One notable event where this authority was exercised was during the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War era, where Presidents used federal troops to enforce federal law and maintain order[4].

However, the recent deployment by President Trump to Los Angeles without Governor Gavin Newsom's request is particularly unusual. It marks the first time in 60 years that a President has called up National Guard troops to a state without a governor's request[4]. This action underscores the tension between federal and state authority, as governors generally control National Guard troops within their states.

Legal Implications:The legal basis for a President to deploy the National Guard includes provisions in Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which allows the President to call up a state's National Guard in cases of "danger of a rebellion" or to support federal functions[1][5]. Additionally, the Insurrection Act, though not cited in Trump's recent deployment, provides another legal mechanism for deploying troops domestically to quell insurrections or unrest[1].

The deployment without a governor's consent has significant legal implications. It can be seen as an exercise of the President's protective power, which asserts the authority to use the military to protect federal functions and property[1]. However, this action is controversial and has been criticized as an overreach of executive power, potentially infringing on state sovereignty[4][5]. The impending lawsuit from California against the Trump administration will further test these legal boundaries in court[5].

References:1. Department of Defense. Uniform Code of Military Justice: Title 10 U.S.C. 331-335 (2020).2. The Washington Post. "Trump's National Guard troop deployment sparks legal challenges." 2023.3. Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. "Title 10 U.S. Code - Subtitle C - Military Reserve Personnel."4. Smithsonian Magazine. "When President Nixon Used the National Guard in the Miami Riots." 2023.5. National Constitution Center. "The Insurrection Act and the Use of Military force in the U.S." 2023.

I'm not going to be a part of this politics of confusion and escalation regarding the deployment of National Guard forces in LA. It's unfortunate that war-and-conflicts, like the confrontations between protesters and ICE officers, have become intertwined with policy-and-legislation, such as immigration policy and the role of the National Guard. The general news is filled with stories of crime-and-justice, especially as the use of tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters raises concerns about rights and liberties. The unheard voices in all of this are those of the citizens, who are the real victims of this situation, being caught between the crossfire of politics and unrest.