Federal Troops Deployed to LA Amidst Immigration Protests: Governors and Senators Condemn Trump’s Actions
Federal Troops Deployed to LA Amidst Immigration Protests: Governors and Senators Condemn Trump’s Actions
Tensions escalated sharply in Los Angeles this weekend as President Trump deployed the California National Guard to quell protests against the federal government’s intensified immigration enforcement. This unprecedented move, bypassing California Governor Gavin Newsom’s authority, has sparked widespread condemnation from state and national leaders.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts decried the deployment as “authoritarian,” echoing Governor Newsom’s characterization of the action as “the acts of a dictator.” They emphasized the right of Americans to peaceful protest and voiced concerns about the potential for escalating tensions.
The deployment marks the first time in decades the National Guard has been deployed without a governor’s consent, a precedent last seen in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Democratic Governors Association, including Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, issued a statement expressing alarm and supporting Governor Newsom’s call for the withdrawal of federal troops.
The protests in Los Angeles began Friday following a series of ICE raids that resulted in 118 arrests. The situation intensified on Sunday with clashes between protesters and law enforcement. This deployment is occurring within the context of a nationwide increase in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has prioritized immigration as a key policy issue.
Massachusetts has not been immune to the increased ICE presence. In May, ICE reported apprehending nearly 1,500 undocumented immigrants in the state. Recent incidents, such as the detention of a Milford High School student mistaken for his father, have fueled concerns and protests within the state. Similar concerns have arisen from ICE activity on Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Plymouth, and New Bedford, as well as the targeting of college students, including attempts to revoke visas and ban international students at Harvard.
The deployment of the National Guard without gubernatorial consent raises serious questions about the balance of power between federal and state authorities and the potential impact on the right to peaceful protest. The situation in Los Angeles underscores the deeply divisive nature of the current immigration debate.
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