National Guard troops have been deployed to Los Angeles in response to escalating protests against federal immigration authorities. This decision, made by President Donald Trump, marks a significant state intervention amid rising tensions in the city related to deportation actions.
The deployment commenced early Sunday, with California National Guard members seen gathering at a federal complex that includes the Metropolitan Detention Center.
In total, President Trump has ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, characterizing the protests as ‘a form of rebellion.’ This move has drawn criticism, particularly from California Governor Gavin Newsom, whose objections highlight the unusual nature of activating a state’s National Guard without gubernatorial consent, a decision noted by the Brennan Center for Justice.
Initially, the deployment was concentrated in downtown Los Angeles, leaving the city’s broader population of 4 million largely unaffected.
The protests that prompted this response began on Friday in downtown Los Angeles and expanded to nearby cities, including Paramount and Compton, known for their substantial Latino communities. Demonstrators aimed to obstruct Border Patrol vehicles, leading to confrontations in which federal agents utilized tear gas and other crowd-control measures.
Tensions escalated following a series of immigration enforcement sweeps that resulted in over 100 arrests over the preceding week. One prominent union leader was detained during the protests, facing accusations of obstructing law enforcement efforts.
Governor Newsom had a lengthy phone discussion with President Trump on Friday night regarding the situation, although it remains unclear if further conversations occurred over the weekend.
On Sunday morning, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the primary goal of the National Guard deployment was to maintain peace while allowing citizens to voice their dissent through protests and ensuring law and order.
The troops included members of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, equipped with long guns and armored vehicles, as depicted in a Department of Defense social media post.
In a stern indication of the government’s stance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that active-duty Marines might be called in should violence persist in the area.
Governor Newsom reacted strongly to the president’s decision, criticizing it as a ‘provocative show of force’ likely to escalate existing tensions. He also condemned Hegseth’s threat to use active-duty military personnel on American soil as ‘deranged behavior.’
The National Guard’s arrival and the subsequent weekend actions have sparked varied reactions among political figures. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders condemned President Trump’s order as reflective of an authoritarian shift, arguing that it undermines Congressional authority.
Conversely, House Speaker Mike Johnson, aligned with Trump, endorsed the deployment, asserting that Governor Newsom failed to address the situation adequately. This ongoing discourse highlights the deepening divide over immigration policy and the federal response in California.
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