The Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, has criticized the deployment of National Guard troops by Trump in the city, labeling it a “chaotic escalation.” This decision comes amid rising tensions between law enforcement and protesters against federal immigration tactics.
“What we’re experiencing in the city is the chaos stirred up by the Trump administration,” Bass stated in a message to Los Angeles residents on Sunday evening.
“Raiding places like Home Depot or similar workplaces can really tear families apart, and moving armored vehicles around town only breeds fear and panic,” she continued. “This federal action was a disorganized escalation right after the attack.”
A former legislator who became mayor in late 2022 emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations. She encouraged residents to express their rights in a non-violent manner.
“Angelenos should use their voices through peaceful protests, but please do not fall into the administration’s trap,” Bass advised in her email.
“Violence is simply not acceptable,” she asserted. “No one should feel unsafe—neither law enforcement nor protesters. I urge everyone to remain calm.”
“The anxiety felt by people in our city is very real. It affects our community and families. It seems clear that this administration is pushing its agenda without any clear direction, only confusion,” she remarked. “We’re committed to doing everything we can.”
This situation could compel Trump to send National Guard members into Los Angeles on Sunday to deal with protesters against federal immigration practices.
Trump mentioned he had dispatched 2,000 National Guard members, with 300 already on the ground by Sunday afternoon.
The move to federalize the California State Guard is seen as rare and legally unclear, bypassing California Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent.
Historically, the last instance of federal mobilization of the National Guard without a governor’s approval occurred in 1965 when former President Lyndon Johnson sent troops to Selma, Alabama, to protect civil rights demonstrators.
