The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has taken immediate action by filing an emergency request with a federal court on Tuesday. This move aims to halt the Trump administration’s plans to deploy the National Guard and Marines for immigrant raids in Los Angeles.
This request follows President Donald Trump’s orders to send about 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines into the city. These orders came in the wake of public outcry against the president’s stricter immigration enforcement policies.
Newsom explained that his request was prompted by shifts in the mission of the National Guard.
A declaration from Paul Eck, the deputy adviser to the California Military Department, was included in the submission. Eck mentioned that the Pentagon had notified them of a directive for the California National Guard to support immigration operations. This would involve securing areas where immigration activities are happening and facilitating pathways for immigration agents.
Initially, the Guard was sent to protect federal properties.
It remains unclear if the mission has already changed.
Newsom’s office hasn’t provided specific details on how this change was communicated to the nation.
Marines Have Not Responded to Protests Yet
In other news on Tuesday, Marine commanders stated that the troops deployed to Los Angeles under Trump’s orders have not been directed to engage with the protests. Their role remains focused on safeguarding federal officials and properties.
The orders included 700 Marines and an additional 2,000 National Guard members, which has drawn concern from local leaders and Newsom about potential issues in managing the protests safely.
Marine General Eric Smith indicated that the battalion has not yet been dispatched to the protests at a budget hearing on Capitol Hill. While Marines are trained for crowd control, he noted they do not have arrest authority and their mission is primarily protective.
Trump suggested he might invoke rebellion laws, allowing military deployment in the U.S. to curb unrest or enforce the law in special cases, a significant move for any sitting president.
He remarked from the Oval Office, “If there’s a riot, I’ll certainly call it. We’ll see,” referencing the chaos of recent nights.
Trump’s description of conditions in Los Angeles prompted responses from Mayor Karen Bass and Newsom, who contend that his portrayal is exaggerated.
Over the weekend, protesters blocked major highways and set cars on fire, but the city’s demonstrations, involving around 4 million individuals, were largely peaceful, concentrated mainly in a few downtown blocks. On Monday, the sounds of chanting filled city hall meetings, with many participating peacefully while others protested outside a federal housing complex, including a detention center holding some immigrants after a workplace raid.
By Tuesday morning, guards were positioned outside the detention facility, yet no Marines were visible.
Vulgar slogans directed at Trump and federal authorities lingered on various buildings, and clean-up efforts were underway at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
In Santa Ana, armored vehicles blocked access to federal immigration and government offices, as workers dealt with litter and graffiti surrounding the buildings.
The deployment of military personnel marks the administration’s latest attempt to enforce strict immigration policies, echoing Trump’s campaign promises focused on mass deportations that have sparked outcry regarding family separations.
On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegses expressed intentions to further utilize military forces domestically.
Los Angeles Officials Say Police Don’t Need Help
Despite the military reinforcement, both the mayor and governor argue that Trump’s decision endangers public safety, highlighting that local police feel equipped to manage large demonstrations on their own.
Police Chief Jim McDonnell reassured that they are capable of handling the large-scale protests, adding that the Marines’ presence could create logistical challenges without proper coordination.
Newsom criticized the deployment on social media, labeling it reckless, saying, “This is not about public safety; it’s about feeding the ego of a dangerous president.”
Protests Are Spreading Across the U.S.
Protests erupted starting Friday and continued through the weekend, coinciding with federal immigration arrests in Los Angeles. Crowds blocked crucial highways and even ignited self-driving cars. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
On Monday, demonstrations spread to other U.S. cities including San Francisco, Santa Ana, Dallas, and Austin, where clashes led to injuries and police employing crowd control measures.
Los Angeles Reaction Will Set in Capitol Hill
The Pentagon reported that deploying the National Guard and Marines would cost approximately $134 million. This figure emerged on Tuesday amidst a Congressional hearing addressing military spending.
The Secretary of Defense defended the troop deployment as essential for safeguarding federal agents in their duties, insisting the budget could accommodate additional costs.
Meanwhile, California Democrats accused Trump of fabricating a crisis through the troop orders.
Representative Nancy Pelosi criticized the situation, drawing a contrast to the Capitol riot on January 6, saying, “We asked the President to deploy the National Guard then, and he didn’t.”
California Opposes Military Sending
California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit disputing the National Guard’s involvement, voicing concerns over state sovereignty and urging for a restraining order against the troop deployment.
Trump claimed the city would face dire consequences without security forces.
Federal officials contended that the Marines are essential for protecting federal buildings and personnel, with a convoy of buses recently arriving at a Navy facility near LA.
Despite their arrival, interactions with protesters have been limited, as local law enforcement continues to manage crowd dynamics.
The Protest Was Peaceful on Monday
A multitude of individuals gathered near city hall on Monday, especially after a labor leader’s release on bond following an arrest.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, police shifted to push out protesters while using crowd control munitions, even as some chanted about a “peaceful protest.” Several were surrounded and arrested, with incidents of violent acts reported, including a Molotov cocktail being thrown at officers.
The Deployment of Guards is an Almost Unprecedented Escalation
This situation marks a significant escalation in military involvement without the governor’s directive, a rarity historically. The National Guard hasn’t been activated this way since 1965, according to the Brennan Judicial Center.
