Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is in favor of President Trump’s decision to send federal resources to address the riots in Los Angeles. However, it’s somewhat unclear why Trump has chosen to deploy 700 active-duty Marines in the U.S.
“I don’t have all the details on what exactly is happening there, but I assume the administration is carefully considering what can legally be done,” he mentioned.
Thune emphasized that the federal intervention was inevitable since local authorities couldn’t effectively manage the risks of property damage and violence.
“In this situation, it seems necessary for the president to step in at the federal level, especially since some state and local officials have clearly made missteps,” he said to reporters. “There was a security issue that needed addressing. I believe the President’s main aim is to ensure public safety.”
On Monday, the Pentagon briefly detailed its federal response to the protests regarding immigration enforcement, which involved mobilizing 700 active-duty Marines.
Additionally, Trump has dispatched 4,000 National Guard soldiers to the area, doubling the initial 2,000 he had earlier mobilized.
California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) claimed the situation is manageable, criticizing the Trump administration for exacerbating tensions with an exhibition of force.
Newsom accused Trump of “intentionally creating chaos, threatening our community, and jeopardizing our democratic values.”
On Sunday, he stated that Trump had taken control of the California National Guard “for show.”
Bass remarked that deploying the National Guard would be “entirely unnecessary” and would only heighten tensions. She maintained that the Los Angeles Police Department is “fully capable” of managing protests related to immigration enforcement.
