3 days Ago
Though local officials said most of the demonstrations had been peaceful, and the Los Angeles Police Department said that it had responded within 55 minutes, the Trump administration complained that immigration agents were being wounded and that the local police had not been quick enough to respond. During a violent unrest, it was unacceptable for support from LAPD to be delayed," said Kirsty Noem, homeland security secretary.
National Guard Federalised, Marines Stand By
President Trump drew a line with his federalization of 2,000 California National Guardsmen against Governor Gavin Newsom's protests. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also put U.S. Marines on alert for potential mobilization — a rare move for troops on American soil.
By Sunday, Trump said the situation was under control and thanked the National Guard, though the troops had still not fully assembled. This quick response is a sign that the administration is ready — and eager, apparently — to do this kind of political battle.
Mixed Responses Are Symptomatic of Wider Political Blowback
The White House sees immigration enforcement and law-and-order politics as among its most popular moves with its political base and independents. Noem mentioned the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in Minnesota, promising that the current administration won't let similar occurrences get out of hand.
But Trump's deployment of masked immigration officers and his consideration of military assets, critics say, is heavy-handed. Senator Cory Booker said that such measures could very well heighten tensions and undermine peaceful attempts to resolve disputes. He also noted that many arrested were in immigration hearings and trying to follow the law.
Now, especially as summer begins and that pattern of days-long protests may take root again, it is unclear whether the recent scenes in California were isolated or a precursor to broader unrest. Yet five months into his second term, Trump has shown no sign of relenting on his hardline pledges.
