Clashes in LA: Trump Sends National Guard Against Governor's Wishes
Trump initiates National Guard deployment - in opposition to the governor's wishes - Trump Deploys National Guard Against Governor's Protests.
Prepare for a rollercoaster ride through the heart of California's turbulent political landscape, as President Donald Trump and Governor Gavin Newsom, two heavyweights squaring off, find themselves at odds. The flashpoint? Protests against the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles.
In a bold and controversial move, Trump has decided to quell demonstrations against ICE, despite Newsom's fiery opposition. The president has ordered the deployment of at least 2,000 soldiers from the National Guard, rather than relying on local law enforcement, much to the dismay of the California governor.
Newsom didn't hold back, claiming Trump was wilfully escalating the situation. He warned about the loss of public trust and labeled the National Guard's intervention as unnecessarily inflammatory. Stressing that security forces were sufficient, he lamented that the government was simply looking for a spectacle.
The clashes in question took place last Friday, with some demonstrations escalating into violence in areas around LA. Protesters voiced their anger over ICE detaining undocumented immigrants, with some hurling stones at security forces. In response, the Trump-appointed US Department of Homeland Security warned of imminent chaos and mass escalation.
A Warning from the Pentagon Chief
Karoline Leavitt, the White House spokesperson, claimed that the soldiers' purpose was to put a stop to "lawlessness" in the LA area. Trump, as the commander-in-chief, is devoted to enforcing U.S. laws, she explained. A formal announcement stated that the National Guard would be deployed for 60 days or, as long as the defense minister deemed necessary.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth opened the door for the mobilization of Marine Corps personnel stationed in California. "They're on high alert," he wrote on the X platform. Newsom expressed shock at the prospect: "The defense minister is threatening to deploy soldiers against American citizens on American soil," he stated on X. "That's lunacy."
It's worth noting that typically, the control of the National Guard lies with the states. Trump's decision to intervene against the governor's wishes signals a significant shift, stirring concerns that this could mark the start of a dangerous escalation. Mobilizing the regular military, as suggested by Hegseth, would be an even more contentious move.
The National Guard is a military reserve unit under the U.S. armed forces, with each state maintaining its own National Guard. The Guard is primarily used for disaster relief, such as responding to wildfires, tornadoes, floods, or internal unrest. When mobilized in times of war or national emergency, the U.S. president takes command.
A Contentious Move by the President
US Senator Adam Schiff called the deployment of the National Guard against the governor's wishes "unprecedented." He voiced concerns that Trump's moves could provoke further escalation and sought to bring the violence to an end. Schiff also suggested that the president might be using the opportunity to justify intervening with a form of martial law.
Just before the White House announcement, Trump had already hinted at a possible intervention, warning that if Los Angeles Mayor and Governor Newsom didn't do their jobs, the federal government would swoop in to quell the chaos with "riots and looters." Trump's public remarks took an inflammatory turn, as he referred to Newsom as "Newscum" on the Truth Social platform.
Trump's decision to intervene in California may serve political ends, offering a distraction from recent personal and professional controversies. As a potential candidate for his party’s presidential nomination in 2028, Newsom finds himself in the national spotlight, especially given California's economic power. Topping 40 million residents, it represents over 10% of the U.S. population.
Trump, a self-proclaimed hardliner, might find leverage in the ongoing tension in California. Fresh from dealing with a public spat with tech billionaire Elon Musk, he is eager to shift attention away from criticism of his tax and budget law.
The current escalation dates back to protests against ICE raids on June 6, 2025, at Ambiance Apparel in Downtown LA. As civil rights advocates and community members rallied, the federal authorities labeled the activities as "routine deportation operations."
As clashes between ICE security forces and protesters continued into the week, 118 immigrants without valid residence permits were arrested in Los Angeles, including gang members and repeat offenders. Law enforcement officials distanced themselves from the ICE deployments, opting not to cooperate with the federal agency.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Trump's deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, all threatened harsh consequences for anyone hindering or attacking law enforcement. Miller even spoke of a "violent uprising" against the state and welcomed the deployment of the National Guard. He declared, "We will take back America."
In response, Governor Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have taken legal action, filing a lawsuit and seeking a temporary restraining order. They argue that the federal government's actions are illegal and unconstitutional, overstepping their authority in civilian law enforcement and potentially undermining democracy and civil liberties on a nationwide scale.
This dramatic standoff sheds light on ongoing debates over federalism, the appropriate use of military force in domestic law enforcement, and the delicate balance of power between the federal government and states. In other words, stay tuned, because the show is far from over.
- The ongoing political tension between President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom has escalated to war-and-conflicts in the realm of policy-and-legislation, mainly focusing on the deployment of the National Guard in response to demonstrations against the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles.
- The National Guard's involvement in US domestic politics is a controversial issue in the field of general-news, particularly with speculation around the Pentagon chief mobilizing Marine Corps personnel stationed in California, setting a dangerous precedent for future conflicts between the federal government and states.
- In the context of crime-and-justice, Trump's deployment of the National Guard to tackle "lawlessness" in Los Angeles, as claimed by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, has sparked concerns over the potential infringement of civil liberties and undermining of democracy.
- As the Los Angeles demonstrations have taken a turn to sports metaphors, Trump's decision can be seen as a strategic play (sports) in his bid for his party’s presidential nomination in 2028, taking the spotlight while deflecting criticism of his tax and budget law and personal controversies, similar to a basketball player executing an ace move during a high-stakes game.
