Amped-Up Tension in LA: Trump Sends More Troops as California's Governor Slams "Dictator"
Troops deployed by Trump headed for Los Angeles in large numbers.
In an uncalled-for move that's stirring up quite a fuss, President Trump has beefed up the military presence in Los Angeles, California. After a chaotic weekend following migrant arrests, Trump dispatched an extra 2,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marine infantrymen to the city on Monday, according to the Pentagon (X).
Originally, Trump had ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to LA on Saturday, despite the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom and local authorities. Now, it seems our commander-in-chief isn't stopping there.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the additional troops would support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and enable federal police to carry out their duties safely. However, the National Guard—a military reserve and part of the US armed forces—won't be engaging with the public but will maintain a watch outside federal buildings.
Local law enforcement officers will be handling most of the public interaction, bolstered by additional personnel to ensure public safety amid the upheaval. The surge in federal forces has led to a spike in protests: while only 250 folks were demonstrating before the troops arrived, after their deployment more than 3,000 protesters have taken to the streets, rallying against the perceived militarization of the state.
For his part, Newsom isn't mincing words about Trump. "We've got a dictatorial president seeking chaos," Newsom has blasted, slamming Trump's impulsive decision as creating tension, diverting resources, and leaving residents feeling uneasy about a federal intervention that's anything but subtle.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
Some dismiss it as nonsense, but critics point out that California has traditionally been a liberal stronghold, with a long-standing anti-Trump sentiment. The heavy deployment of troops, many argue, looks less like an attempt to quell chaos and more like an attempt to intimidate and suppress dissenting voices.
[1] The United States military presence in California has dramatically increased, with over 4,000 National Guard members federalized and sent to Southern California in an immigration enforcement operation
[2] The number of protesters in Los Angeles has risen from 250 to over 3,000 following the arrival of federalized National Guard soldiers, with demonstrators calling for an end to the militarization of the state
- Amidst the escalating tension, the war-and-conflicts section of general news outlets may report on the increased military presence in Los Angeles, California, as President Trump sends more troops, including National Guard soldiers and Marine infantrymen, following a series of migrant arrests.
- In the realm of politics and crime-and-justice, the controversial decision by President Trump to militarize California through the deployment of federal troops has sparked protests, with the number of protesters rising from 250 to over 3,000, rallying against this perceived attempt to intimidate and suppress dissenting voices.
