Trump Deploys 2,700 Troops to Los Angeles Amid Protests

U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act in response to the ongoing protests in Los Angeles. During a meeting with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated that he would "certainly" invoke the act if there were an insurrection, but he has not yet seen the basis for doing so. The Insurrection Act, which has been used only 30 times in U.S. history, grants the president the authority to deploy federal troops to quell civil unrest during a crisis. Trump has instead relied on Title 10 of the U.S. Code on Armed Services, which allows the president to deploy federal troops in instances of "a rebellion or danger of a rebellion" against the U.S. government. This provision has never been used as a standalone authority, and its legality is currently being challenged in court by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Trump's decision to deploy 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles without the consent of Governor Newsom has drawn criticism from experts in national security and presidential powers. Elizabeth Goitein, the senior director of the Brennan Center's Liberty and National Security Program, described the move as unprecedented and argued that the conditions for deploying the military were not present. The National Guard deployment was authorized by a presidential memorandum that claimed the protests threatened federal property and constituted a form of rebellion against the U.S. government. However, Newsom's office has contended that the unrest in Los Angeles does not rise to the level of a rebellion and that the president exceeded his authority by deploying the National Guard without the governor's consent.

In addition to the National Guard, Trump has also mobilized 700 Marines based out of Twentynine Palms, California, to operate in a support role in Los Angeles. The Marines are expected to perform the same duties as the National Guard, but their deployment has also been criticized by experts who argue that it is an overreach of presidential power. The deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles has been met with resistance from local officials, who have argued that the protests can be handled by local law enforcement without the need for military intervention. The situation in Los Angeles remains tense, and it is unclear whether Trump will ultimately invoke the Insurrection Act or continue to rely on other legal authorities to deploy federal troops.

Trump's comments come after a meeting with California Governor Gavin Newsom, where he noted that California is in good condition but emphasized the importance of federal support. He stated that without federal intervention, California would be in a state of chaos. Trump also mentioned that if there is an insurrection in California, he will invoke the Insurrection Act, and the National Guard will be stationed in Los Angeles until the danger subsides. The U.S. Northern Command announced that 700 U.S. Marines have already arrived in the Los Angeles area. In a statement, the Northern Command confirmed that approximately 700 Marines have completed mobilization. They will “seamlessly integrate” with the National Guard already deployed in the Los Angeles area to protect federal facilities and personnel in the region. The deployment of an entire Marine battalion to Los Angeles marks a significant escalation by the Trump administration in showcasing military force as a response to protesters.