National guard troops have arrived in Los Angeles following protests that had erupted in the wake of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the state.
Prior to their arrival, US President, Donald Trump praised the efforts of the national guard in calming the protests in Los Angeles, despite the city’s mayor saying troops have yet to arrive.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest.”
“We have an incompetent Governor (Newscum) and Mayor (Bass) who were, as usual (just look at how they handled the fires, and now their VERY SLOW PERMITTING disaster. Federal permitting is complete!), unable to handle the task.
“These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT BE TOLERATED. Also, from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why??? Again, thank you to the National Guard for a job well done!”
Donald Trump
However just an hour after Trump’s post, Bass tweeted, thanking LAPD and local law enforcement for their work. He also thanked Gavin Newsom for his support. “Just to be clear, the National Guard has not been deployed in the City of Los Angeles,” he stated.
Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the city of Los Angeles in California, where an immigration crackdown has triggered protests and clashes that have run into two days.
The crowds called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to leave their city.
The White House said in a statement that Trump was deploying the guardsmen to “address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester” in the US’s second most populous city.
The White House described the protesters as “violent mobs” who have attacked ICE officers and federal agents “carrying out basic deportations” in Los Angeles.
“These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States. In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.
White House
US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth also warned that the Pentagon was prepared to mobilise active-duty troops “if violence continues” in Los Angeles, saying that the Marines at nearby Camp Pendleton were “on high alert.”
California Governor, Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, called the Republican President’s decision “purposefully inflammatory.”
He said on X that Trump was deploying the National Guard “not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle.”
He added, “Don’t give them one. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully.”
Unprecedented Move
According to the California Governor’s office, Trump federalised part of the California’s National Guard under what is known as Title 10 authority, which places him, not the governor, atop the chain of command, to deploy the troops.
Robert Patillo, a civil and human rights attorney, called the President’s move to bypass the Governor and call in troops as “unprecedented” in recent history.
“Normally, if federal troops are going to be used inside of states, it’s going to be at the invitation of the governor of that state. For example, in 1992, the California Governor invited federal troops in to put down the LA riots. But if the Governor, such as Gavin Newsom, has not asked for federal troops to come in, and these troops are coming in against his will, then there will be challenges.
“Soldiers are not cops, and that’s why you do not use them as a law enforcement, law for law enforcement. This has grave danger for the people of that area.”
Robert Patillo
Patillo also described Trump’s move as a crackdown on free speech and said that it was detrimental to the US’s constitutional norms.
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