“A full-blown assault on peace, on public order, and national sovereignty” is how US President Donald Trump described the ongoing protests in Los Angeles in a speech marking the 250th anniversary of the US Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Following a string of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids throughout Los Angeles that led to the detention of scores of undocumented immigrants and sparked massive protests, Trump’s comments come as tensions are rising.
During his speech, Trump painted Los Angeles as a city in distress, calling it a “trash heap” run by “transnational gangs” and placing the blame on the local government. He accused Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom of “incompetence,” and he also claimed, without evidence, that they were paying “troublemakers, agitators, and insurrectionists” to take part in the demonstrations. Additionally, Trump asserted that the protest organizers were calling for the termination of federal immigration law enforcement in Los Angeles and the removal of ICE from the city.
Trump emphasized his severe position by announcing that he would collaborate with US senators to submit legislation that would require anyone found guilty of burning the American flag to serve a year in prison. He implied that “someone is funding” the protestors, although he provided no evidence, and referred to them as “professionals,” not amateurs.
The Trump administration has requested a massive military deployment in reaction to the turmoil. Along with 700 Marines, the Department of Defense stated that an additional 2,000 California National Guard soldiers had been mobilized, increasing the total number of troops sent to Los Angeles to 4,000.
Administration officials said this action is meant to preserve federal property, assist ICE and federal law enforcement, and bring order back to the city. Trump presented the deployment as an essential step to protect “the integrity of the nation” and “the honest citizens of California.”
Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom are among the local leaders who have vehemently objected, charging Trump with misusing federal authority and escalating tensions for political ends. Although the majority of protests have been nonviolent, Mayor Bass announced a nighttime curfew in downtown Los Angeles to prevent looting and vandalism. He also noted that some violent occurrences and property damage have happened after dark. A lawsuit contesting the validity of the federal force deployments has also been launched by the government of California.
Law enforcement is still utilizing non-lethal tactics, including as tear gas, to clear crowds around government buildings, and the situation is still tense. Deep disagreements over immigration policy and the use of force in reaction to civil disturbance are reflected in Trump’s speech and the federal response, which have garnered both praise and criticism.
