In March 2020, a series of extraordinary events unfolded, marked by the news of Tom Hanks testing positive for COVID-19 and the NBA’s suspension of its season, an era that now feels like a distant memory.
The unsettling atmosphere of that time has been echoed recently as downtown businesses in Los Angeles have boarded up their windows, anticipating protests amidst the current political climate.
The nation finds itself grappling with the question: Are we on the brink of an irreversible fracture in American democracy? Or is this merely another bizarre chapter in a prolonged saga of political upheaval?
This past Sunday, President Donald Trump deployed federalized National Guard troops into California against the wishes of the state’s governor for the first time in six decades.
In a shocking incident later that week, California’s senior senator was tackled to the ground by federal agents during a press conference.
The presence of hundreds of active duty Marines in Los Angeles has raised alarms, as they appeared to conduct armed training exercises on a high school sports field, much to the bewilderment of onlookers.
The conflict between President Trump and Governor Gavin Newsom over constitutional rights has escalated into a public feud, filled with insults and memes shared on social media platforms like Truth Social and X.
Compounding the tension, the recent ICE raids have instilled fear across Los Angeles, creating a climate of anxiety among many residents, even as life continues normally for others.
Mayor Karen Bass has expressed deep concern, warning that Los Angeles is being treated as “a grand experiment” by President Trump to test the limits of federal authority over Democratic states.
Scholars and critics have long warned of warning signs indicating a potential democratic breakdown since Trump’s inauguration in 2017, leading many to grow numb to such alerts.
But is the turmoil of the past week different from previous events?
I spoke with Federico Finchelstein, a historian who specializes in fascism and authoritarian regimes. He noted the alarming nature of Trump’s federalization of the National Guard in California, seeing it as a clear pivot towards authoritarianism.
He pointed to the assaults on press freedom, the judiciary, and the handling of Senator Alex Padilla as actions that undermine democratic norms, potentially paving the way for further erosion of democracy.
However, Finchelstein refrained from labeling the recent occurrences as a definitive turning point.
“Living through history makes it hard to pinpoint where we stand,” he explained.
He emphasized, “It’s extremely difficult to predict the outcomes of this kind of militarization of politics. What we do know is that democracy is at stake, moving down a path that could either disable, demean, or even destroy democratic values.”
Finchelstein also indicated that the eventual outcome relies on factors extending beyond President Trump’s next actions.
Historically, when anti-democratic movements are met with robust institutional and public resistance, their success is significantly hindered, he noted.
“This is not the conclusion of the narrative,” he assured.
As nationwide protests, dubbed “No Kings,” are anticipated for the coming weekend, Los Angeles and various major cities are bracing for large demonstrations against Trump’s administration.
These protests come amid profound unrest over the federal government’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategies throughout Southern California.
On the same day, an unusual military parade in Washington D.C. is set to mark both the Army’s 250th birthday and President Trump’s upcoming birthday.
In light of these events, many cities across the country will be hosting the “No Kings” demonstrations, voicing their dissent against the current administration’s policies.
Specifically in Downey, known to many as the “Mexican Beverly Hills,” Trump’s immigration raids have sparked significant unrest.
Local Councilman Mario Trujillo reported that these raids instill a pervasive culture of fear, leading even documented residents to stay indoors.
Clarity about the true drivers of violence during recent protests remains murky, as demonstrations in downtown L.A. have devolved into chaos and clashes with law enforcement, distracting from the focus on immigration issues.
In Ventura County, silence hangs over the agricultural fields following ICE raids that sought undocumented workers.
Where bustling activity and movement typically marked the sprawling strawberry fields, the absence of farmworkers highlights the impact of the recent enforcement actions.
The previous chaos during the raids has led workers to avoid going out, creating an eerie atmosphere in communities reliant on agricultural labor.
As the nation navigates through these turbulent times, the focus remains on the delicate balance between maintaining democratic values and facing rising authoritarian measures.
This week, Americans find themselves both bracing for protests and reflecting on the broader implications of these events, with crucial legal and societal battles lying ahead.
We must remain vigilant, for as history has shown, the commitment to democracy will be tested in the weeks to come.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2025-06-14/a-historian-of-fascism-on-whether-this-was-week-was-a-turning-point
