Trump Activates National Guard Amid LA Riots
President Donald Trump has swiftly reacted to the recent unrest in Los Angeles County by mobilizing the National Guard. Specifically, he’s ordered the deployment of 4,100 National Guard soldiers and dispatched several hundred Marines to the area, an action that has sparked some criticism, particularly from Governor Gavin Newsom.
Trump’s administration argues that this move is crucial to preventing the riots from escalating to the levels seen nationwide following George Floyd’s death in May 2020. Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem emphasized the importance of this action, suggesting it would avert situations similar to those experienced in Minnesota during that tumultuous time. “These National Guard soldiers have a specific skill set to help maintain order,” she noted. “We can’t let a repeat of 2020 happen.”
It’s worth remembering how Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz handled the unrest back then. He was somewhat criticized for his delayed response, which led to significant damage, including the burning of a police station in Minneapolis shortly after he activated the National Guard. Noem reflected on this, suggesting that Waltz’s hesitation ultimately forced Trump to step in and take a firmer approach.
By May 30, 2020, when Waltz finally mobilized the Minnesota National Guard fully, it marked the largest domestic deployment in its history. This was a point of contention, as Trump’s strong criticism of the governor suggested a perceived weakness in handling the situation.
While the National Guard operates under both state and federal authority, governors typically oversee their state units. However, the president has the power to federally mobilize them in certain circumstances, like riots. Back in June 2020, some media outlets faced backlash for suggesting that Trump’s deployment of the National Guard was controversial.
As of June 4, more than 32,000 National Guard soldiers had been activated across 32 states and Washington, DC, in response to widespread chaos. DHS Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar reiterated that Trump acted quickly to prevent further violence and damage. He stated clearly, “This isn’t the summer of 2020. We appreciate the brave efforts of the National Guard in protecting our communities.”
