2,000 National Guard Troops Deployed to Quell LA Protests... Trump Says "We Won't Let This Go"

On the 8th (local time), the LA police arrested a protester in front of the federal building in Los Angeles, USA. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

On the 8th (local time) in Los Angeles, USA, protests against the crackdown on illegal immigrants continued for a second day. President Donald Trump announced that, in addition to deploying 2,000 National Guard troops, he could also mobilize the Marine Corps to send additional forces. While President Trump is weighing whether to invoke the Insurrection Act, some hardline anti-immigration figures have already labeled the current protests as an "insurrection," continuing to use aggressive rhetoric.

President Trump met with the White House press corps in New Jersey and, when asked whether he was prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act in the LA area, responded, "That depends on whether an insurrection occurs." When asked if he believed an insurrection was underway, he said, "No. But there are violent people, and we are not going to let them get away with it."

The previous day, instead of invoking the Insurrection Act, President Trump invoked Title 10, Section 12406 of the United States Code, which allows the Secretary of Defense to assume control of the National Guard?normally under the direction of the state governor?and ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to protest areas to protect government functions and assets.

Reuters, citing two sources, reported that President Trump has not yet decided whether to invoke the Insurrection Act. Enacted in 1807, the Insurrection Act provides the president with the legal authority to deploy the military to suppress insurrections or civil unrest. It is also interpreted as a sign of state government failure and a declaration of national emergency. The last time this law was used was during the 1992 LA riots, when troops were deployed at the request of the governor.

Some senior White House officials are already referring to the current protests as an "insurrection." Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff and a hardline anti-immigration figure, labeled the protests as a "violent insurrection." Vice President J.D. Vance also expressed frustration on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Insurrectionists are attacking immigration enforcement officers, and half of America's political leaders consider border enforcement to be 'evil.'"

The Trump administration is also leaving open the possibility of deploying regular military forces such as the Marine Corps, in addition to the National Guard. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has stated that the Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton near LA are prepared to support the National Guard deployed in LA. When asked about the possible deployment of the Marines, President Trump said, "We will see what is needed. We will send whatever is necessary to maintain law and order."

The protests, which have continued for two days, began on June 6 near the federal building in downtown LA as a demonstration against the aggressive enforcement tactics of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration. The protests erupted after ICE classified and urgently arrested 44 people as illegal immigrants across LA on that day. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed in a statement that the number of protesters on June 6 reached 1,000, but Reuters reported that this figure could not be independently verified. On the 7th, tear gas and flashbang grenades were used, and some protesters were arrested.

However, controversy continues regarding the legal basis for the National Guard deployment authorized by President Trump and whether the response constitutes excessive force, according to reports by The Guardian (UK) and CNN (USA). Democratic Senator Chris Murphy stated on X, "President Trump is not trying to heal or keep the peace. He is trying to stoke conflict and sow division." Progressive California Governor Gavin Newsom also criticized on social media, "It's not because there aren't enough police, but because they (the Trump administration) want a show that the National Guard is being deployed."

The role of the National Guard deployed to LA remains unclear. The New York Times (NYT) reported that military authorities are uncertain about the rules of engagement for the National Guard sent to LA under President Trump's orders. According to NYT, the National Guard received orders to protect federal government assets and personnel in protest areas and were briefed on the rules of engagement just before deployment, but the Department of Defense has not made those rules public.

Meanwhile, President Trump is scheduled to hold a meeting with military authorities at Camp David, the presidential retreat, on this day. President Trump cited security concerns as the reason. According to the White House, Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary Hegseth are scheduled to travel to Camp David.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.