Former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened the state of California with the activation of the Insurrection Act, following the deployment of hundreds of U.S. Marines to Los Angeles. Thousands more from the National Guard have been stationed in the city under direct orders from Trump, in an aggressive attempt to crush widespread protests.
What Makes This Move So Alarming?
While it’s already rare for the National Guard — often considered a reserve military force — to be deployed without consulting state governors, what’s even more unprecedented is Trump’s direct deployment of active-duty Marines, whose role is usually confined to guarding federal properties. The involvement of the military in civil unrest raises serious constitutional concerns and is typically tied to the controversial Insurrection Act — a rarely invoked federal law.
What Did They Say?
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- 🔹 Trump declared that Los Angeles would have “burned to the ground” if he hadn’t sent in the National Guard and Marines.
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- 🔹 He threatened to officially activate the Insurrection Act if he confirmed signs of “rebellion” within the protests.
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- 🔹 Military officials clarified that Marines have no arrest powers and are tasked only with protecting federal property and personnel.
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- 🔹 Pentagon official Brian McDonnell estimated the cost of the deployment at $134 million, covering soldier transport, accommodation, and food.
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- 🔹 California Governor Gavin Newsom rebuked the deployment, calling it “an ego-driven stunt by a dangerous president.”
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- 🔹 Newsom added: “Imagine how many food packages or housing units could’ve been provided to veterans instead of humiliating these troops by turning them into pawns.”
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- 🔹 Senator Jack Reed, ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, condemned the move, stating, “The military has no business enforcing domestic laws on American soil — this principle has been clear since the founding of the nation.”
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- 🔹 LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell revealed his department wasn’t even informed of the Marine deployment, describing it as a major logistical and operational challenge.
What Is the Insurrection Act?
The Insurrection Act allows the U.S. President to deploy the military within the country to suppress rebellion, local unrest, or enforce federal laws. First enacted in 1792 and last revised over 150 years ago, legal scholars warn that the law is dangerously vague and ripe for abuse.
When Can the President Activate It?
The Act includes three main clauses:
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- Section 251 allows deployment upon a state’s request for help in quelling rebellion.
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- Section 252 and 253, however, empower the president to bypass state approval altogether — even acting against the state’s wishes.
Under Section 253, presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy used the military to enforce desegregation rulings in the 1950s and ’60s during the Civil Rights Movement.
Historical Cases of Domestic Military Use:
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- Whiskey Rebellion (1794): President George Washington deployed the army to enforce federal tax laws.
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- Civil War & Reconstruction (1861–1877): The military was used to uphold federal authority and fight white supremacist militias like the KKK.
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- Pullman Strike (1894): Troops broke up a railway workers’ strike disrupting interstate trade.
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- Desegregation (1950s–60s): Troops protected Black students during school integration, including the historic Selma-to-Montgomery march.
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- L.A. Riots (1992): President George H.W. Bush deployed Marines and National Guard following the Rodney King verdict and ensuing riots.
The Situation Escalates in California
Protests erupted across Los Angeles after Trump deployed federal troops in response to recent immigration raids targeting Latino communities. The city has a large population of undocumented migrants, many of whom fear mass deportation under Trump’s policies.
Over the weekend, ICE agents — masked and heavily armed — conducted a series of raids across multiple districts in Los Angeles, triggering hours-long street standoffs with angry crowds.
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- On Monday, more than 100 protestors were arrested, though most demonstrations remained peaceful.
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- On Friday, at least 44 people were detained by ICE on alleged immigration violations.
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- On Saturday, demonstrators burned American flags while others waved Mexican flags, chanting for ICE forces to leave.
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- On Sunday, clashes with police intensified. Vehicles were set ablaze or vandalised in several areas.
In response, the U.S. Northern Command confirmed the deployment of 300 additional National Guard troops across three regions in Los Angeles.
What’s Behind the Trump–California Rift?
Trump has clashed with California throughout his presidency, frequently criticising it as a “failed state” due to its progressive stances on immigration, climate policy, and education.
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- He once labelled California a “lost paradise” that had turned into a “hellhole of criminal gangs.”
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- In 2019, Trump said the state was “a disgrace to the country” due to its homeless population.
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- In the last election, California overwhelmingly rejected Trump, awarding 60% of its votes to Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
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- Earlier this year, California sued the Trump administration over tariffs, accusing him of economic sabotage.
Final Thoughts
The confrontation between Trump and California reflects deeper cracks in the American political system — where the use of military force against civilians is no longer hypothetical, but a chilling reality. For Muslims and justice-seekers worldwide, the events in Los Angeles expose the authoritarian tendencies at the heart of Western democracy, especially when power is challenged from the grassroots.
