In a controversial and unprecedented move, President Donald Trump has sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles. He says this move is a response to what he’s labeling “a type of insurrection” against the feds. Significantly, the deployment took place without the written request of California Governor Gavin Newsom. It takes advantage of a little-known legal provision that allows the president to nationalize the state National Guard in insurrection scenarios. This ruling has set off a firestorm and blistering rebuke from politicians and civil rights leaders alike.
The situation escalated over the past week as protests erupted in response to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids throughout Los Angeles. Federal agents fought demonstrators near a federal Department of Homeland Security detention facility in Paramount, leading to violent confrontations. Throughout the melee, agents used tear gas, fired off stun grenades, and launched pepper balls. In response, demonstrators responded by throwing rocks and other debris.
Trump’s Legal Justification and Response
For both legal and substantive reasons, Trump’s deployment of the National Guard warrants greater scrutiny. Specifically, he invoked the Insurrection Act, which legally empowers him to mobilize state National Guard troops without state governors’ approval. This action went around Governor Newsom, who had made no request for federal aid. Civil and human rights attorney Robert Patillo found such action ” unprecedented ” in modern history. He underscored its deep constitutional ramifications that would follow from such federal intrusion.
“Normally, if federal troops are going to be used inside of states, it’s going to be at the invitation of the governor of that state… But if the governor, such as Gavin Newsom, has not asked for federal troops to come in, and these troops are coming in against his will, then there will be challenges.” – Robert Patillo
From the moment the protests began, Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric escalated the conflict. He labeled the demonstrations a rebellion and asserted that his administration was compelled to act due to “lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.” The White House claimed that the deployment was necessary to restore order.
Governor Newsom’s Condemnation and Concerns
California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized Trump’s comments as “inflammatory.” He cautioned that these measures would only exacerbate an already explosive situation. He said he feared that the violence could intensify because of the federal troops’ presence in the state.
“They want a spectacle. Don’t give them one.” – Gavin Newsom
Newsom’s criticism highlights the growing divide between state and federal authorities, particularly as Trump continues to target him on social media with derogatory nicknames such as “Gavin New Scum.” Just recently, four Republican congressional leaders have called for deploying the National Guard. In doing so, they justify this change as necessary to prevent public safety during time of escalating violence.
Impact of ICE Raids and Community Response
Amid heightened protests across the nation, ICE’s recent terrorizing raids have sparked fears among immigration advocates and wider community leaders. Alexandra Miller is a former immigration justice attorney. She described these raids as a “huge public intimidation tactic” that seek to destroy the community’s trust. Her comments are in line with a lot of concern over what these sweeping federal actions could mean for the most vulnerable among us.
“To create a massive public fear tactic to undermine communities into demonstrating the force of the administration.” – Alexandra Miller
Additionally, more than 100 individuals have been reported to be arrested due to expanded immigration enforcement raids in the city of Los Angeles. It’s still very much a high-pressure cooker environment. This morning, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered active-duty Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton to stand by in high readiness to be mobilized should unrest persist.
Now that nationwide protests are unlikely to stop any time soon, the feud between federal and state leaders continues to boil over. The deployment of National Guard troops by Trump marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict over immigration policy and federal authority.
