LAS VEGAS, CALIFORNIA — What began as a peaceful protest against a federal immigration crackdown soon spiraled into violent clashes on the streets of Los Angeles. The unrest, sparked by a week-long series of raids that led to more than 100 immigrant arrests, culminated in federal troops being deployed to the region. On Saturday, June 7, President Donald Trump activated the National Guard to uphold “very strong law and order” following escalating protests that turned violent. His decision overruled California Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections, setting the stage for a contentious battle over the state’s rights and federal authority.
The protests, primarily in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in neighborhoods with large Latino populations, have led to widespread unrest in parts of Los Angeles. As ICE agents swept through areas like Home Depot stores and local wholesalers, targeting undocumented workers, the public’s frustration boiled over into full-fledged demonstrations. The protests, initially peaceful, quickly turned chaotic, with clashes erupting between protesters and federal agents, including those from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Amidst the volatile scene, Trump’s intervention by sending in the National Guard marked a dramatic escalation of federal involvement. The use of National Guard troops, a decision typically made by state governors, has sparked a fierce political dispute. Governor Newsom, along with several California officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and U.S. Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, voiced strong opposition to the federal government’s actions. They argued that the state’s local law enforcement agencies were fully capable of handling the unrest and that the deployment of the National Guard was an unnecessary and provocative move.
In a rare move, President Trump invoked a seldom-used provision of U.S. law under Title 10 U.S.C. 12406, which allows the president to federalize National Guard troops in specific circumstances such as “rebellion or danger of a rebellion” or when the president is unable to execute laws through regular forces. In his official memorandum, Trump described the ongoing protests as a “rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.” This claim, however, was met with immediate backlash from local leaders who insisted that the protests were an expression of political dissent, not an insurrection.
The National Guard’s role in Los Angeles was explicitly to assist federal agents, particularly ICE and DHS personnel, in protecting federal property and facilities. Despite concerns over the militarization of local protests, the National Guard was instructed not to participate in direct law enforcement against civilians but to provide logistical support to federal law enforcement agencies engaged in ongoing immigration enforcement actions. However, their presence only intensified tensions between law enforcement and the protesters, leading to confrontations that included the use of tear gas, flashbang grenades, and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
For many of those involved in the protests, the government’s decision to send in the National Guard added fuel to an already volatile situation. Protests against immigration raids have been a growing issue nationwide, with many seeing these raids as a direct attack on vulnerable immigrant communities. As public demonstrations escalated, so too did the frustration with both federal and state authorities. Protesters, mostly from Latino and immigrant communities, expressed anger at the detention of family members and workers who were living in the country without legal documentation. According to ICE, over 118 people were arrested during a series of operations across the city, which contributed to the mounting tension.
Critics, including California’s Democratic leadership, argue that the National Guard’s involvement is not only excessive but politically motivated. Governor Newsom, in particular, argued that the Trump administration’s use of the National Guard was unnecessary, calling it “purposefully inflammatory.” “The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles – not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle,” Newsom wrote in a post on social media.
While Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard may have galvanized his supporters, many critics view it as another example of federal overreach that undermines the authority of local governments. National Guard troops arrived in Los Angeles and were seen protecting federal buildings, including a detention center that houses individuals detained in immigration enforcement actions. Protesters surrounded the building, throwing objects and attempting to block ICE officers from conducting arrests. Local law enforcement made 29 arrests during the clashes, the majority of which were for failure to disperse.
The deployment of National Guard troops raises significant questions about the relationship between federal and state power, particularly regarding the use of military force in domestic situations. It is rare for the president to directly invoke the National Guard without a governor’s request, with the last such instance occurring in 1965. Historical precedents for federal involvement in local protests include the 1992 Los Angeles riots, following the acquittal of police officers involved in the brutal beating of Rodney King. During those riots, the National Guard was deployed at the request of the state governor, Pete Wilson. Similarly, National Guard troops were called to action in the aftermath of the George Floyd protests in 2020.
While the National Guard’s role in this situation is framed as a support mechanism, the optics of military presence in civilian protests bring up concerns about the militarization of law enforcement. This is particularly pertinent given the heightened racial and political tensions surrounding the Trump administration’s hardline stance on immigration, which has seen significant resistance and vocal opposition from immigrant rights groups and communities.
The protests in Los Angeles come amid broader national debates on immigration policy, which have intensified under the Trump administration. His administration has set an ambitious goal of dramatically increasing deportations and cracking down on undocumented immigrants, particularly those working in the United States. ICE operations like those in Los Angeles are seen as part of this broader strategy, which has sparked outcry from both immigrant communities and human rights organizations.
The use of federal forces, including the National Guard, highlights the intensification of the federal government’s actions in enforcing immigration laws. At the same time, it raises concerns about the impact of these tactics on the trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement. Advocates argue that the militarization of police forces and the use of federal troops in domestic settings will only exacerbate the fears and trauma that many immigrants experience in the United States.
In the aftermath of the National Guard’s deployment, a critical question remains: How will these events affect the future of immigration policy and enforcement in the United States? While Trump’s actions may play well with his base, they have only deepened divisions with state and local leaders, especially in progressive states like California. As the National Guard stands watch in Los Angeles and protests continue, it is clear that the nation is at a crossroads in terms of its approach to immigration enforcement, state rights, and the use of military power in civilian spaces.
In the coming weeks, we may see further developments in the ongoing tension between local authorities and federal forces. How this dispute resolves will have lasting implications for the future of the nation’s immigration policies, civil liberties, and the relationship between the federal government and the states. What remains clear, however, is that this crisis is far from over, and the outcome of these protests will continue to shape the national conversation about immigration, justice, and political power.
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