President Trump has directed the California State Guard to secure Los Angeles in response to protests against immigration enforcement, despite objections from Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass.
This is the first time in six decades that a commander has mobilized a state national security force without the governor’s consent. Officials within the Trump administration argue that this action is warranted, characterizing the demonstrations as a “violent uprising” against the nation.
“This is a violent rebellion,” stated Stephen Miller, a senior advisor in the White House.
Vice President JD Vance echoed this sentiment, labeling the situation as riots. He suggested that while certain groups are targeting immigrant leaders, many politicians are misjudging border enforcement as negative.
California Democrats are expressing their concern over this unprecedented federal action. Historically, the National Guard was last invoked in Los Angeles during the 1992 Rodney King riots, with state support.
Newsom accused the federal government of creating chaos and using it as an excuse for escalated actions, calling it uncharacteristic of a civilized nation.
The authority for this rarely utilized power comes from a section of the U.S. Code that allows for National Guard mobilization in times of “rebellion” against the government.
Critics of the deployment, including local leaders, argue that there is no law enforcement shortage and characterized the actions as unnecessarily provocative.
Bass has publicly voiced her concerns about potential citizen anxiety regarding federal intervention.
Trump, in a social media post, attributed the unrest to failures in local leadership, pointing out ongoing issues with wildfire management and permitting processes in California.
Historically, the last time a president unilaterally activated the National Guard without state approval was in 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson intervened in support of civil rights protests in Alabama.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the National Guard’s deployment, citing interference with immigration agents and framing the protests as threats fueled by foreign terrorist groups.
He also indicated that U.S. Marines might be prepared for deployment if necessary.
Newsom described the prospect of using active military troops against U.S. citizens as alarming, whereas Hegseth fired back, underscoring that allowing riots would be irresponsible.
In the midst of escalations, a Trump administration official suggested to reporters that if someone loses their life in the protests, local officials may face scrutiny from the Justice Department.
The National Guard had arrived in Los Angeles County early Sunday.
Newsom previously cautioned Homeland Security Secretary Biden regarding the potential for military interventions along the Texas border.
Meanwhile, Representative Nanette Barragan emphasized that local law enforcement is capable of managing the unrest and does not need additional support from the National Guard.
She expressed her belief that the president’s actions might only exacerbate the situation rather than alleviate it.
