LOS ANGELES (AP) — The deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles has ignited tensions between local officials and President Donald Trump. Despite opposition from local authorities and California Governor Gavin Newsom, the military presence has significantly increased amid intense protests against the enforcement of immigration laws that critics claim disrupt migrant families.
This marked escalation follows a series of protests that erupted after federal immigration authorities arrested over 40 individuals across the city on Friday. According to Trump, the city would have been ‘completely obliterated’ without the military intervention, which some officials dispute with claims that the local police are fully equipped to manage the protests.
On Monday, the protests largely remained peaceful, with thousands gathering for a rally at City Hall and numerous groups demonstrating outside a federal facility linked to detention of immigrants. The National Guard troops were positioned outside the detention center on Tuesday morning, but there was no immediate indication of Marines on duty.
The narrative presented by Trump about turmoil in Los Angeles has been rejected by Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Newsom, both of whom argue that deploying military personnel is escalating risks to public safety. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell expressed confidence in the police department’s capabilities to handle large-scale demonstrations without military assistance, warning that the uncoordinated presence of the Marines could create significant logistical challenges for local law enforcement.
Newsom has criticized the deployments as reckless and disrespectful to service members. He asserted on the social platform X that this situation is not a matter of public safety, but rather a reflection of President Trump’s desire to bolster his own image.
Protests gained momentum after immigration raids ignited frustration among activists, leading to clashes that included blocking major freeways and setting vehicles on fire. As scenes of smoke lingered in downtown LA, the protests spread to other cities, including San Francisco, Santa Ana, Dallas, and Austin.
In response to the heightened military presence, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit claiming that Trump’s action is unconstitutional, asserting that the president has overstepped his authority in deploying National Guard troops to the state without proper approval. Bonta expressed, ‘We don’t take lightly to the president abusing his authority and unlawfully mobilizing California National Guard troops,’ seeking a court order to declare the deployment unlawful.
U.S. officials clarified that the Marines were dispatched to protect federal properties, including immigration offices and personnel. The operation began with several buses leaving Twentynine Palms, California, and leading into Los Angeles, where they made an overnight stop at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach before continuing their mission.
Despite the increased military presence, interactions between the Guard and the protesters were minimal, as local law enforcement primarily maintained order. A significant and peaceful labor rally occurred at City Hall on Monday, coinciding with a court hearing for labor leader David Huerta, who had been arrested amid the immigration raids. Huerta’s detention became a focal point for those protesting against federal immigration enforcement.
Protesters created human chains and linked arms in front of the police lines at the federal detention facility, with religious leaders assisting in efforts to mitigate potential conflicts. The atmosphere remained largely peaceful until the evening when police began to advance against protesters who ventured too close to restricted areas, leading to the detainment of several individuals.
Families of detained workers voiced their concerns at a news conference, highlighting stories of individuals like Jacob Vasquez, who was taken during the immigration enforcement actions. His brother Gabriel pleaded for information about Jacob’s whereabouts, noting the distress caused to their family.
Following incidents throughout the weekend, authorities reported that multiple arrests were made, including one individual for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail and another for ramming a motorcycle into police officers.
The National Guard deployment is seen as a contentious move, marking a rare occasion where a governor did not initiate the activation of state troops. Historically, the last instance of such federal action without a state’s request occurred during Civil Rights protests in Alabama in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Trump justified his deployment through a legal provision that allows for the use of federal troops in cases of what he labeled as potential rebellion against government authority.
As the situation continues to unfold, the dynamic between state officials, local law enforcement, and federal authorities will likely remain intense as all eyes are on Los Angeles.
Local leaders have expressed concern that the military presence will hinder rather than help maintain safety during what are intended to be peaceful demonstrations. As the people of Los Angeles navigate this period of unrest, the dialogue surrounding immigration enforcement and community response remains at the forefront of public discussion.
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