When protests erupted in response to a series of immigration raids across the country—including in heart of the Resistance, Los Angeles—President Donald Trump was forced to quickly pivot. That same day, he announced the deployment of 2,000 National Guard members to the city. This legislative step signals yet another historic turning point in the federal response. Trump tweeted his concerns over the necessity of the protests. He cautioned demonstrators against acts of violence and proclaimed that he would be watching the situation very closely.
Trump’s actions raised red flags, and for good reason. To many, they had a dictatorial rather than a presidential tone. Critics argued that this deployment was the first-ever use in decades of a state’s National Guard. This unprecedented move happened without any formal ask from the guv. This uproar comes after months of pushing back against or just outright rejecting policies that target immigrants and the involvement of police in these protests.
Trump’s Warning and National Guard Deployment
In a group statement to reporters, Trump made it clear that he is watching what’s happening with the protests closely. He declared, “I told them, nobody is going to spit on our police officers, nobody is going to spit on our military.” His comments revealed a tough attitude towards anyone who would dare disrespect police and military members. This spirit developed in the midst of the continued protests.
The President also acknowledged his new favorite cop, Jim McDonnell, the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. He referred to him as a “highly respected LAPD Chief.” Yet at the same time, he lambasted McDonnell for failing to do more to rein in what he termed as “thugs” participating in the protests. Trump’s comments were made in the context of a wider escalation of tensions between federal forces and local police.
“It’s a bald-faced lie for Newsom to claim there was no problem in Los Angeles before President Trump got involved,” – Abigail Jackson
In addition, economic impacts aside, Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops has already been described as an extraordinary measure. This action is significant because it breaks with the usual procedure where state governors typically request this type of assistance. By far, the biggest criticism from observers was that it sets a terrible precedent for federal overreach and local governance.
Local Leaders Push Back
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass are among those who have made their displeasure over Trump’s move known. Newsom asserted, “We’re not going to let this happen to our country,” highlighting his commitment to maintaining order without federal intervention. Treating it as such, he accordingly made himself a foil to what he sees as federal overreach.
Bass even went so far as to express regret over leaving. She continued, attributing the turmoil in Los Angeles to the policies and practices put in place by the Trump administration. In those statements, she raised significant qualms about the precedent that would be set by sending in federal troops to address local law enforcement failures.
“What we’re seeing in Los Angeles is chaos that is provoked by the administration,” – Karen Bass
Critics of Trump’s heavy-handed response claim that these kinds of measures only serve to inflame rage and not defuse it. They argue that cities need to be responsible for handling and protecting lawful protests and public safety on their own terms without federal intrusion.
The Broader Context
The protests in Los Angeles were triggered by one of many planned immigration raids, igniting anger in the immigrant and workers’ rights community. Demonstrators have taken to the streets to express their opposition to the racist policies of the Trump administration and the overall criminalization of immigrants. The county’s situation has gone national, as it suggests the country’s own divisions over immigration policy.
Trump’s administration has long been criticized for its handling of immigration related crises. It has come under fire for its deep ties to the police. In his remarks, the President took the opportunity to counter accusations that the LAPD failed to provide adequate assistance to federal officials during the protests. He insisted that local leadership shortcomings were in fact responsible for the fallout that ensued.
“We have an incompetent Governor (Newscum) and Mayor (Bass) who were, as usual, unable to handle the task,” – Donald Trump
Trump’s remarks and subsequent actions have intensified discussions surrounding law enforcement, civil liberties, and the role of federal authority during domestic unrest. The use of the National Guard might be a flashpoint for a much larger coming war over who controls these cities and who has the right to govern.
