In a move that has drawn significant political backlash, President Donald Trump has deployed 2,000 members of the National Guard to Los Angeles as part of his administration’s crackdown on immigration protests.
The deployment was authorized following rampant demonstrations that erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted arrests of 44 individuals for violating immigration laws.
Leaders within the Democratic Party, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, have criticized the decision, labeling it a provocative action intended to escalate tensions in America’s second-largest city.
The National Guard serves dual functions, operating under both state and federal commands, which can lead to complex interactions in emergency response scenarios.
Historically, the roots of the National Guard stretch back to the colonial militias in Massachusetts in 1636, evolving into an organized force after the Militia Act of 1903.
As of 2023, the National Guard comprises approximately 431,291 members across the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, which includes soldiers trained to respond to both state and federal emergencies.
Typically, the deployment of National Guard forces is initiated by state governors during emergencies. However, the President possesses the authority to federalize the National Guard, which generally requires approval from the respective governor.
In instances of natural disasters, civil unrest, or wars, the National Guard may be called upon for assistance.
For instance, soldiers were deployed after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and also during recent wildfire crises in California.
However, Trump’s recent decision to send National Guard troops to Los Angeles was executed without Governor Newsom’s consent.
Professor Robert Cohen from New York University remarked that this move reflects the “partisanship” that often characterizes Trump’s decision-making.
Historically, past presidents have mobilized the National Guard in similar contentious situations. For example, President Dwight D. Eisenhower federalized it in 1957 to enforce school desegregation following the Supreme Court’s ruling against racial segregation.
Moreover, during the 1992 riots in Los Angeles, President George H.W. Bush, alongside Governor Pete Wilson, utilized the National Guard to restore order following severe unrest sparked by the acquittal of four police officers in the Rodney King beating case.
The deployment of military forces in civil law enforcement raises ongoing legal and ethical debates, mainly due to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which limits military involvement in domestic law issues.
Nevertheless, presidents can bypass this prohibition via the Insurrection Act or similar federal laws, granting them the authority to act without state permission when addressing acts of civil disobedience.
President Lyndon B. Johnson, for example, invoked this act in 1965 to protect civil rights marchers in Alabama against segregationist opposition.
Trump’s recent strategy diverged from this historical precedent, opting to use Title 10 authority, which allows for the National Guard’s deployment without state governor approval.
Critics argue that Trump’s unilateral action not only bypasses the state’s leadership but also raises concerns about the implications of deploying military personnel against citizens engaged in protest.
The ramifications of this deployment reach beyond the immediate situation, reverberating through the political landscape as discussions around immigration, law enforcement, and civil rights come to the forefront.
While protests in Los Angeles continue to evolve, the involvement of the National Guard underscores the delicate balance between national security and civil liberties, a balancing act that will undoubtedly remain under scrutiny as events unfold in California and across the United States.
image source from：https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/9/what-is-the-national-guard-at-the-heart-of-trumps-los-angeles-standoff
