Tensions have reached a boiling point in Los Angeles following a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that resulted in over 100 arrests. In response, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the city, bypassing California Governor Gavin Newsom’s authority. This unprecedented move has sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about the legality and necessity of such a deployment. BackgroundThe unrest began on June 6, 2025, when ICE agents conducted raids across Los Angeles, including locations in the Fashion District and a Home Depot parking lot, leading to multiple arrests. Protests erupted in response, with demonstrators gathering near federal buildings and the Metropolitan Detention Center. The Los Angeles Police Department declared several assemblies unlawful, leading to confrontations involving flashbangs and riot gear. National Guard DeploymentOn June 7, President Trump signed a presidential memorandum invoking Title 10 of the U.S. Code, allowing the federal government to deploy National Guard units without state consent in cases of rebellion or civil unrest. Governor Newsom criticized the deployment as unlawful and a breach of state sovereignty. Legal experts have questioned the justification for such a deployment, arguing that the protests do not constitute a rebellion under federal law. Legal and Political ImplicationsThe Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 generally prohibits the use of federal military forces in domestic law enforcement. However, exceptions exist, such as the Insurrection Act, which has been invoked in the past to address civil disturbances. Notably, the last instance of a president deploying the National Guard without a governor’s request occurred in 1965, when President Lyndon Johnson sent troops to Alabama to protect civil rights demonstrators. Governor Newsom has requested that the federal government rescind the deployment and return control of the National Guard to state authority. The situation has sparked a broader debate over federalism, state rights, and the balance of power between state and federal governments. Ongoing SituationAs of June 10, 2025, the standoff continues, with National Guard troops stationed at key locations in Los Angeles. The protests have drawn national attention, raising questions about the use of federal military power in domestic affairs and the treatment of immigrants under current U.S. policies. The outcome of this confrontation may have lasting implications for the interpretation and application of federal authority in the United States. For more detailed coverage and live updates, you can refer to Al Jazeera’s live blog on the Los Angeles protests.
Your real sport news source
