President Donald Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to quell anti-immigration protests following ICE raids, bypassing California Governor Gavin Newsom's authority. This move, branded 'authoritarian' by state and city officials, is seen by human rights lawyer Philippe Sands as a test of public tolerance and a step towards authoritarianism, drawing parallels to historical dictatorships. The legality of Trump's actions is under scrutiny, with potential legal challenges.
Tuesday briefing: What Trump’s response to the LA protests could mean for US democracy
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AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️President Donald Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to quell anti-immigration protests following ICE raids, bypassing California Governor Gavin Newsom's authority. This move, branded 'authoritarian' by state and city officials, is seen by human rights lawyer Philippe Sands as a test of public tolerance and a step towards authoritarianism, drawing parallels to historical dictatorships. The legality of Trump's actions is under scrutiny, with potential legal challenges.
Trending- 1 Late last week: Federal US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers conducted immigration raids in Los Angeles.
- 2 Friday evening: Anti-ICE protests erupted in Los Angeles, with some violence.
- 3 Saturday: President Donald Trump announced deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles via Truth Social.
- 4 Yesterday (Monday): Trump administration ordered 700 Marines into Los Angeles to support law enforcement.
- 5 Unspecified: California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump's response 'unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.'
- 6 Unspecified: Karen Bass, Los Angeles mayor, warned LA was being used as a 'test case.'
- 7 Unspecified: Philippe Sands discussed the implications for US democracy.
- 8 Unspecified: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) called images of troops 'akin to a declaration of war.'
- 9 Unspecified: California stated it will sue the government.
- Increased tensions in Los Angeles
- Accusations of authoritarianism against Trump
- Potential legal challenges by California
- Testing of US democratic checks and balances
- Potential normalization of military deployment against citizens
What: President Donald Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to suppress anti-immigration protests, bypassing the state governor's authority.
When: Late last week (ICE raids), Friday evening (protests flared), Saturday (Trump announced 2,000 National Guard deployment), Yesterday (plans announced for 700 Marines), 2020 (National Guard deployed for BLM protests), 1992 (George HW Bush deployed troops for Rodney King riots), 1965 (last time president sent National Guard without governor request), 1945 (US as beacon of rule of law).
Where: Los Angeles, Washington DC, United States, Chile (historical parallel).
Why: Trump claims the protests are by 'paid insurrectionists' and that state authorities are not controlling the situation. Critics argue it's an intentional escalation to test constitutional limits and suppress dissent against his immigration policies.
How: Trump used his powers to deploy National Guard and Marines, bypassing Governor Newsom. The Insurrection Act was not invoked, but the deployment relies on other interpretations of presidential authority.