A massive shake-up hit the US political scene. President Donald Trump sent thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles. This was in response to ongoing protests against immigration raids by ICE.
The protests started on June 9. ICE arrested over 100 people in LA. This made many activists angry. On June 6, over 100 protesters gathered outside an ICE building. Police used tear gas and flash bombs to break it up.
Governor Gavin Newsom of California slammed Trump’s decision. He said it was a clear abuse of power and might be against federal law. Newsom asked the White House to pull the troops out of California.
The big question is whether Trump has the right to send in troops. According to US law, the National Guard is usually controlled by the states. But Trump used a law that lets the president take control in certain situations.
Many experts say the protests in LA don’t meet these conditions. They also point to a law from 1878 that stops the army and National Guard from doing police work.
This situation could get much worse. If Trump declares a state of insurrection, it could lead to troops controlling the crowds and arresting protesters. This hasn’t happened in decades.
The last time this law was used was in 1992, after the Rodney King protests. But back then, the governor asked for federal help. This time, Newsom is against it.
The protests started because of Trump’s immigration policies. Now they’re turning into a big conflict between the federal government and the states. Sending in troops without the governor’s approval is not just a legal issue – it could also be a sign of authoritarianism in the US.
Will Trump use the Insurrection Act? That could lead to even more violent protests. And how will American society react if the country starts to look more like a dictatorship?
Sources: Channel NewsAsia, Aljazeera.