Trump Orders Additional 2,000 National Guard Troops to Los Angeles
On Monday, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles, aiming to control the escalating protests triggered by recent immigration raids. This move activates them on active duty, though officials noted it might take a day or two before the troops are fully mobilized.
The announcement came amid heightened tensions in the city, with protests turning increasingly intense following the arrest of over 40 individuals by federal immigration authorities last Friday.
California Officials Denounce the Move
California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized the deployment, calling it both "reckless" and "disrespectful to our troops." In a statement shared on social media, Newsom insisted the decision was less about public safety and more about feeding the president’s ego.
Meanwhile, the state’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, announced a lawsuit challenging the legality of Trump's use of the National Guard without state approval. Bonta described the move as a blatant violation of California’s sovereignty and is seeking a court order to halt the deployment.
Marine Support Joins the Operation
Adding to the federal presence, approximately 700 Marines from their base in Twentynine Palms, Southern California, were also sent to Los Angeles. Their mission is to protect federal properties and personnel, including immigration agents, as protests continue.
The arrival of Marines, however, caused logistical complications for Los Angeles Police, as the move was made without prior coordination. Police Chief Jim McDonnell expressed confidence in his department’s ability to manage the demonstrations but acknowledged the challenges brought by the new federal forces.
Protests and Clashes: A City on Edge
The protests, which began peacefully with thousands gathering around City Hall for a union rally, grew more charged throughout the weekend. Participants rallied around David Huerta, a union leader arrested during the raids, whose subsequent release on bail sparked moments of celebration.
However, tension escalated as demonstrators linked arms near the federal detention center, singing and chanting slogans like "Free them all!" and demanding the removal of National Guard troops. Law enforcement responded with tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and rubber bullets after some protesters threw objects at officers.
Despite the unrest in localized areas, the majority of Los Angeles’s population went about their daily lives, highlighting the limited geographic scope of the clashes.
Governor Pushes Back, Warns Against Violence
In a direct letter to the White House, Newsom urged the president to reverse the Guard deployment, emphasizing it as an infringement on state rights. He also called on protesters to remain peaceful, warning them not to provide the administration with the justification to escalate force.
"Trump wants chaos and he’s instigated violence," Newsom said. "Stay peaceful. Stay focused. Don’t give him the excuse he’s looking for."
Legal and Political Implications
The current National Guard activation marks a rare instance where federal troops are deployed without the governor’s consent, an act not seen since 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to Alabama to protect civil rights marchers.
Trump justified the deployment by invoking a legal provision that allows federal activation during "a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States."
Families Demand Answers Amid Detentions
Outside a Los Angeles warehouse, families of detained workers voiced their distress, pleading for information and the release of their loved ones. The family of detained worker Jacob Vasquez described him as the sole breadwinner of his household, underscoring the human cost amid the political turmoil.
Looking Ahead
With protests planned to spread across other parts of Los Angeles County and cities nationwide, tensions remain high. Authorities anticipate further demonstrations as immigration enforcement continues to draw public ire.
Meanwhile, officials brace for continued unrest while legal battles loom over the federal government’s unprecedented use of National Guard forces without state approval.
Stay tuned for ongoing updates on this developing story.
