LOS ANGELES: California is set to challenge President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy US troops in Los Angeles, amidst ongoing protests against his immigration policies.
A federal court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 12, where the state will argue for a restraining order against the involvement of military personnel in law enforcement activities.
Approximately 700 Marines are expected to be deployed on the streets of Los Angeles as support for around 4,000 National Guard troops, tasked with protecting federal property and agents during immigration raids.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that federal forces would intensify their efforts to “liberate” Los Angeles.
“We have more assets now today than we did yesterday,” Noem asserted during a press briefing.
“This is only going to continue and be increased until we have peace on the streets of Los Angeles.”
The military’s presence has ignited a heated national debate regarding the use of armed forces on domestic soil, deepening the political divide in the country.
Protests have erupted in several major cities across the nation, including New York, Chicago, Washington, and San Antonio.
California’s legal case argues that the federal government has already breached the law by utilizing National Guard troops to assist immigration enforcement.
The lawsuit seeks not only a temporary restraining order to prevent the involvement of troops in law enforcement but ultimately demands a court ruling that restores state control over its National Guard forces and declares Trump’s actions illegal.
The wave of protests in Los Angeles began on Friday following a series of controversial immigration raids.
In response, President Trump deployed the National Guard on Saturday and called for Marine support on Monday.
Trump claimed, “If I didn’t act quickly on that, Los Angeles would be burning to the ground right now,” during a remarks at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Local officials have contested this narrative, arguing that the President’s militaristic response has heightened tensions instead.
Democratic leaders nationally have criticized the deployment as authoritarian.
The situation is part of Trump’s broader promise to aggressively deport immigrants, an approach that aligns with his contentious political style which garnered him electoral victories.
Los Angeles has seen its sixth day of protests, characterized by mostly peaceful demonstrations with some episodes of violence.
During a curfew enforced over a specific section of downtown LA, demonstrators were reported to have thrown fireworks and rocks at police officers.
In contrast, another group of nearly 1,000 protestors was met with police firing less-lethal munitions in front of City Hall.
Marlene Lopez, a 39-year-old Los Angeles resident, voiced her reasons for protest amidst cracking sounds from flash bangs nearby.
“I am out here because of the fact that our human rights are being violated every day. If we give up, it’s over. We have to stand our ground here in LA so that the nation will follow us,” she stated passionately.
There have been numerous arrests during this wave of unrest, with police reporting about 400 in just the preceding days.
In New York, the police confirmed several individuals had been taken into custody during protests, marking a continuation of the crackdown.
Noem mentioned that federal officers had apprehended over 1,500 individuals so far, as investigations reportedly began into possible connections between the protests and advocacy organizations.
Amidst these unfolding events, several activist groups plan to stage over 1,800 anti-Trump protests nationwide on Saturday.
This day will coincide with a military parade in Washington, DC, marking the US Army’s 250th anniversary, which also aligns with Trump’s 79th birthday.
On Thursday, President Trump asserted via social media that, “Los Angeles was safe and sound for the last two nights. Our great National Guard, with a little help from the Marines, put the L.A. Police in a position to effectively do their job.”
The Marines, trained for crowd control, are expected to join the National Guard troops on the streets of Los Angeles within 48 hours.
They will be authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration officers or confronts federal agents during operations.
The U.S. Northern Command reported that a battalion of 700 Marines recently completed specialized training for this mission, focusing on de-escalation and crowd management techniques.
While the Marines are under the purview of a federal law named Title 10, their role is not primarily civilian policing but to safeguard federal personnel and properties.
According to the Northern Command, Title 10 forces have the authority to temporarily detain individuals in certain scenarios, such as preventing assaults or hindering violence against federal agents.
U.S. Army Major General Scott Sherman, commanding the Marine and National Guard task force, communicated to reporters that while the Marines will carry live rounds, they will not load their rifles with live ammunition.
California’s court filings express concerns that the military’s role could extend into areas indistinguishable from urban policing, such as interrogation and detention.
The Trump administration maintains that the troops are not engaged in law enforcement, but rather are there to protect law enforcement officers.
In a tense moment during a press conference held by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed after attempting to question the legality of the troop deployments.
As the court case progresses, the controversy surrounding the military’s domestic deployment amidst civil unrest and the tensions surrounding immigration continue to unfold.
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