Trump's Coolness Will Become Clear in California
Los Angeles Turns into a Battlefield:
L.A., one of the largest cities in the U.S., is now a hotspot of confrontation. The media is flooded with footage of street brawls and fires, as local police officers find themselves ambushed (with police cars pelted with rocks from above)[1].
This public outcry from Californians and illegal immigrants residing in the state stems from their discontent with immigration officers enforcing U.S. laws. Essentially, they protest document checks on illegals, and in line with President Trump's policy on border control, these individuals are being deported[1].
A routine check in one Los Angeles district on June 6 escalated into full-blown riots, resulting in federal agents having to deploy tear gas and arrest 11 individuals. In response, Trump ordered the National Guard into the city, and by Sunday, 2,000 soldiers were patrolling the streets[1].
What was once a local tussle quickly gained significant political significance. It became a fierce clash between Democrats and Republicans.
Democrats, led by California Governor Gavin Newsom, accused Trump of abusing his powers. They argued that California didn't need Washington's intervention in dealing with "spontaneous protests that sprang up after the immigration raid on June 6." However, Trump saw the chaos as an existential threat and reacted on a federal level, causing a new wave of protests in the city. "They're creating a crisis of their own making and storming the streets with the brutality of Trump's immigration policies," remarks Senator-Democrat Alex Padilla of California[1].
Formally, President Trump has the authority to use the National Guard of a state and even deploy army units, as the Insurrection Act of 1807 allows the use of federal troops on U.S. soil when the president deems that "unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblies, or insurrections against the authority of the United States," make "obeying federal law" impossible[1]. Indeed, Trump refers to the situation as an insurrection.
"Once-great American city Los Angeles has been seized and occupied by illegal immigrants and criminals. Now these violent rioters attack our federal agents to hinder our deportation operations," Trump declared[1].
The last time this law was invoked was by George Bush Sr. in 1992 – to quell racial unrest in the same Los Angeles. However, he did so with the consent of local authorities and upon their request (both the governor of California and the mayor of Los Angeles)[1]. In the current situation, though, Trump received no such call – and the last time a U.S. president sent the National Guard to suppress protests was in 1965 when Lyndon Johnson decided to protect demonstrators for civil rights in Alabama.
Now, Trump is accused of using the situation to settle scores with political opponents among the Democrats. "In this situation, Trump achieves what he wants – escalating protests to 'federalize' the National Guard. First in California, then in any other state," Newsom asserted, effectively accusing the Republican president of attempting to institute a dictatorship[1].
However, Trump and his supporters hold a different view. Relying on public support (55% of Americans wanted a decrease in immigration last year – the highest figure since 2001)[4], they aim to establish order in immigration matters. In their opinion, not only should undocumented immigrants be fought, but also those who support them, like left-leaning Democrats such as Gavin Newsom[4].
"Progressive states like California, and Democratic leaders like Newsom and former president Joe Biden, ignore our immigration laws. They sent a clear message to people worldwide that the border is open, and millions have taken advantage of this chance to illegally enter our country," claims USA Today[4].
The discussion revolves around the fact that California officially serves as a "sanctuary state." It maintains an extremely pro-illegal immigrant stance and refuses to aid federal authorities in the apprehension and deportation of undocumented immigrants. Newsom adheres to this principle rigidly – for which he is harshly criticized by Washington.
"If he truly cared about California's public safety, he wouldn't create a sanctuary for criminals where they're released onto the streets every day," laments the so-called "border czar" (a coordinator of all border policy decisions) of the White House, Tom Homan. And he shows that the opinions of local authorities no longer matter to him. "Every day in Los Angeles, we will ensure immigration law is followed. I don't care whether they like it or not." Homan continues[4]. It seems that Trump couldn't care less about the opinions of state officials either. For him, California is not a local cleanup job – he sees it as a vital test of his leadership. President Trump must demonstrate his determination and ability to defeat rivals, impose his will, not only in Los Angeles but potentially in any other state. For if he fails, if he has to retreat (as happened with tariffs on imports), Trump risks transforming from a relatively successful revolutionary into a failure.
In the context of the escalating unrest in Los Angeles, the politics surrounding the situation have come to a boil, with Senator-Democrat Alex Padilla suggesting the riots in the city bear a resemblance to Trump's immigration policies. Meanwhile, the general-news coverage also touches on crime-and-justice concerns, as federal agents face resistance in enforcing immigration laws, leading to clashes and arrests.
