Trump deploys National Guard to quell LA immigration protests, disregarding California's governor's orders. Experts caution that this action could prove perilous.
President Donald Trump took the drastic measure of deploying 2,000 National Guard troops to suppress immigration protests in Los Angeles, defying the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom. This action, a rare use of presidential powers, could signal an unprecedented escalation of power and challenges both state authority and longstanding precedents, many experts claim.
Immigration protests sparked in and around Los Angeles following federal immigration agents arresting more than 44 people last Friday. These arrests are part of Trump's crackdown on immigration, which has involved waves of raids and deportations across the nation. Law enforcement employed tear gas and flash bang grenades to disperse demonstrators over the weekend. Trump accused local officials of failing to handle the unrest, stating he would resolve the RIOTS & LOOTERS the way it should be.
Trump signed a presidential memorandum to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles under Title 10 of the United States Code to protect ICE and other federal personnel, as well as federal property. Title 10 allows the president to deploy the National Guard in situations where necessary for repelling invasion, suppressing rebellion, or executing laws, which would make the National Guard report to the president rather than the governor.
This is the first time a U.S. chief executive has used such power since 1992, when the Los Angeles riots erupted after four white police officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King. However, the deployment back then occurred at the request of California Governor Pete Wilson. It's rare for a president to act without a governor's cooperation or request, yet, in this instance, Newsom has explicitly opposed the deployment order.
Newsom stated that Trump's move is inflammatory and will only escalate tensions. Democratic Rep. Nanette Barragán agreed, arguing that Trump is escalating the situation, causing tensions to increase, and asserting that the deployment is only making things worse. On Sunday afternoon, footage showed masses of demonstrators blocking lanes in both directions of a Los Angeles freeway, bringing traffic to a standstill.
The League of United Latin American Citizens condemned the order, stating that it marks a deeply troubling escalation in the administration's approach to immigration and the use of military-style tactics. In nearby Compton, a vehicle was set on fire where protesters began to gather, while video from Friday shows multiple projectiles being thrown at officers equipped with body armor and protective shields outside a Los Angeles federal detention center.
Historically, presidential mobilizations of the National Guard have supported enforcement of civil rights and maintained public order during critical moments, such as the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957, and the University of Mississippi in 1962. Guard units were also federalized during the Detroit riots in 1967 and to restore order following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. When compared to previous federalizations, the current situation is markedly different: the deployment came without a request from the state's governor.
Karen Bass, LA Mayor, asserted on Sunday evening that the National Guard had not been deployed in the city of Los Angeles, contradicting Trump's earlier statements. Approximately 300 members of the National Guard arrived later on Sunday, following two days of protests over immigration enforcement action. Despite Trump's assertion that the troops were doing a great job, there is currently no evidence they have taken action on the ground.
The escalating immigration protests in Los Angeles, following the federal arrests and subsequent use of force by law enforcement, have led to accusatory statements from President Trump regarding the handling of the unrest. In response to these allegations, Governor Newsom denounces Trump's deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops, arguing it will only inflame tensions and further complicate the general-news and crime-and-justice situation. This deployment, under Title 10 of the United States Code, marks a unique utilization of presidential powers not seen since 1992, when the Los Angeles riots occurred, and serves as a departure from the usual cooperation between federal and state authorities.
