Trump's National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles: A Battle Over Power and Authority

Strategic Insights -

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass have repeatedly claimed that President Donald Trump's mobilization of the National Guard to protect immigration enforcement agents and suppress protesters in Los Angeles has inflamed the protests and is an unnecessary escalation. The dispute reached a critical point on June 17, when a three-judge appellate panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit heard arguments on whether to continue Trump's deployment of the troops. The panel of two Trump appointees and one Biden appointee appeared to be leaning towards keeping the current stay in place, despite doubts from the judges about the Trump administration's claim that courts can't review the president's decision.

Key Takeaways:

  • The dispute centers on President Trump's deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests over raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass have argued that the National Guard's presence is causing harm to the nation's broader democratic tradition of the separation of the military from civilian affairs.
  • The Trump administration claims that the president has "unreviewable" powers as the commander-in-chief to deploy troops for any reason he sees fit.
  • California's attorney, Samuel Harbourt, argued that the governor does not have any problem giving the president "some sort of deference" in implementing federal law, but that there's nothing to defer to in this case since Newsom did not consent to the National Guard's activation as typically mandated by law.
  • Judge Mark J. Bennett suggested that the court might act before a hearing scheduled in the case for June 20.
  • Los Angeles has seen "certain episodes of unrest and even violence in recent days," including violence directed at state and local law enforcement officials, but local and state law enforcement have "strongly condemned these acts and responded forcefully to them."
  • Harbourt called for the removal of the National Guard from Los Angeles so that they can return to their regular duties, including responding to emergencies such as wildfires.
  • Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell stated that the decision to lift the city's curfew showed the progress authorities have made in reducing crime and vandalism within the city's curfew zone.

Statistics:

  • 4,000 National Guard troops were deployed to Los Angeles by President Trump.
  • 700 Marines were also deployed to Los Angeles.
  • Los Angeles police have made more than 500 arrests related to protest activity since June 7.
  • There were over 1,000 violent protesters outside a federal building on June 6.
  • The National Guard "were essential to protecting that building," according to Justice Department lawyer Brett Shumate.

Sources:

  • Terry Collins, USA TODAY
  • Reuters