LOS ANGELES (AP) - On Monday, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles. This escalation of military presence came amidst ongoing protests against immigration raids, which local officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, have voiced strong opposition to, citing public safety concerns. Police Chief Jim McDonnell expressed logistical challenges brought about by the increased military presence, emphasizing that local law enforcement was capable of managing the protests.
The initial deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops began on Sunday, coinciding with heightened tensions as protests erupted over Trump's stringent immigration policies, which critics argue are separating families. Despite initial violence during the protests, the demonstration on Monday remained largely peaceful, with thousands gathering at City Hall and others outside a federal complex housing a detention center for immigrants. Protesters converged at these sites to voice their dissent against the federal government's actions.
Trump's rhetoric regarding Los Angeles has been deemed exaggerated by Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Newsom, who argue that the military deployment poses unnecessary risks to public safety. Newsom decried the move as reckless and a means for Trump to bolster his image rather than to protect citizens. "This isn’t about public safety; it’s about stroking a dangerous President’s ego," Newsom stated on the social platform X.
The protests began on a Friday when federal immigration authorities arrested over 40 individuals in Los Angeles. On Sunday, demonstrators engaged in acts of civil disobedience, which included blocking a major freeway and setting self-driving cars on fire. In response, police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades to disperse crowds. Nonetheless, Monday's demonstrations were more subdued, with many participants rallying in support of David Huerta, a labor leader arrested during the initial protests.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has taken legal action against the federal troop deployment, arguing that Trump's mobilization of California National Guard troops without the governor's consent is a violation of state sovereignty. He called for a court order to deem the deployment unlawful and requested a restraining order to halt these military actions. Bonta expressed strong disapproval of what he views as an abuse of presidential authority, emphasizing California's right to govern without federal overreach.
In defense of the deployment, Trump insisted that Los Angeles would have faced severe disruption without the National Guard and Marines. Officials noted that the troop movement would take time, as the order was just signed, indicating that logistical coordination is still in play. These military personnel were primarily tasked with protecting federal property and agents, including those involved in immigration enforcement.
Conversely, local officials and community leaders criticized the presence of military forces, alleging it serves to create disorder rather than maintain peace. The protests continued, with demonstrators calling for the release of detained family members and denouncing the ongoing raids. The protest atmosphere remained involved, with various community members, including religious leaders, working to de-escalate tensions that emerged as police responded with force to crowd control situations.
The current deployment marks a significant shift in how federal troops are utilized in a civilian setting, as it is reportedly the first time in decades that a state’s National Guard was activated without the governor’s request. Historically, the last instance of such a deployment occurred in 1965 during President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration. This action raises questions regarding federal state relations and the legality of military involvement in public safety issues.
As protests continued throughout Los Angeles and spread to other California cities as well as Texas, demonstrators remained resolute in their demands for justice and solidarity with those affected by immigration raids. While tensions escalated in some instances leading to arrests, many protests retained their peaceful focus with calls for unity and justice for their communities.
