In a controversial move that has ignited a nationwide debate, President Donald Trump has invoked a federal law allowing him to deploy the National Guard to California without the state's request. The deployment aims to address protests against the enforcement of immigration laws in Los Angeles, with President Trump categorizing these protests as an insurrection against the U.S. government.
This decision marks the first time in 60 years that a U.S. President has deployed the National Guard without a state's request, bypassing California Governor Gavin Newsom's authority. The move is rooted in Title 10, Section 12406 of the United States Code, which allows the federal government to take control of the National Guard in cases of insurrection or threats against the government.
The order, which labels acts of violence or protests that interfere with law enforcement as insurrection, has drawn sharp criticism from Governor Newsom. The governor, a Democrat, condemned the federal intervention, arguing that it is likely to exacerbate tensions and undermine public trust. "The action is intended to incite and will only escalate tensions," he stated.
The deployment has also been criticized by legal experts. Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of UC Berkeley School of Law, expressed shock over the federal government's decision to take control of the state's National Guard, labeling it as a suppression of domestic dissent.
Protests in Los Angeles began on June 6th, sparked by the Trump administration's stringent crackdown on undocumented immigrants. In areas with significant Hispanic populations, demonstrators have clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who have resorted to using rubber bullets and flashbangs to control the crowds.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of Defense is mobilizing the National Guard, though details on the deployment specifics remain unclear. President Trump has also authorized Secretary Hegseth to deploy regular troops to protect federal properties and functions if necessary.
The last instance of such federal intervention occurred in 1965 when President Lyndon Johnson sent troops to Alabama to protect civil rights activists. The current situation in California raises questions about federal authority and state sovereignty, with the potential to set a precedent for future federal-state relations in handling domestic unrest.
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