Trump against Newsom – Political Messen in California

The last time a president mobilized the national guard of a state against the will of the governor there was in 1965. At that time, Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to help the black man enforced their civil rights in the Alabama ruled by racists. The situation in Los Angeles could not be more different.

What started on Friday as protests against raids from the ICE immigration police developed into violent riots with dozens of arrests over the weekend. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets, blocked the Highway 101 and gathered in front of a Federal Government’s deportation prison in the city center.

In Paramount, a suburb of 80 percent Hispanic population, protesting stones and bottles threw on civil servants. The police used tear gas, rubber bullets and glare grenades. The authorities arrested more than 50 people by Sunday, three police officers were injured.

Troops are an escalation

The location escalated after Trump signed his decree to send 2,000 national guards on Saturday. « There was no problem for Trump, » said Governor Gavin Newsom to the President. Mayor Karen Bass had warned that the sending of the troops itself was « a dangerous escalation ». She would bring « a feeling of fear and chaos to our city ».

The chief of police from La, Jim McDonnell, found soberly how heated up the mood after marching the first 300 national guards. « When I look at the violence of today, I think that we have to re -evaluate the situation. »

Nobody denies that professional rioters tried to take advantage of the protests for their purposes. Experts point out that something like this also happens according to sports events and often causes greater damage. However, this does not justify the proclamation of an emergency.

Trump threatens governor

For Trump, on the other hand, the protests against the procedure of the immigration police ICE are the ideal lever to escalate its permanent feud with the stronghold of the Democrats in California. The state refuses to cooperate in its mass portations. According to California law, local authorities may not support the ICE officials. There are also disputes such as transgender rights, climate and transport policy.

In May, the President threatened to withdraw federal funds « perhaps permanently ». This week he frozen $ four billion for the California high-speed train project. Governor Newsom, whom Trump derives « Newscum » (German scum), threatened to hold back tax funds.

The possible presidential candidate of the Democrats in 2028 subordinates Trump political calculation. « The president tries to heat up emotions and provoke a reaction. » He hoped for images of violence and chaos because he rely on the fact that he would use this politically. « To be successful, California has to fail. » He asked the president not to pour additional oil into the fire.

Regular soldiers as the next escalation level?

Trump does not think of it in a dream, but threatened the additional posting of US marines, i.e. regular soldiers who are put into position against Americans. A highly controversial measure for which there are high legal hurdles. The White House has already stylized the events in Los Angeles an existential threat to national security. It published pictures of demonstrators that swiveled flags from other countries – including Mexican and Salvadorian. These recordings should suggest that the government resisted a foreign invasion.

The President claimed on Truth Social that Los Angeles was « attacked and occupied by a violent mob » and had to be « freed from migrant invasion ». The deputy chief of staff in the White House, Stephen Miller, dramatized the situation to « fight for the rescue of civilization. »

The Tom Homan, responsible for the mass portations, threatened in an interview with the arrest of local responsible people who oppose the immigration raids. He made them scapegoats that ICE has so far remained far behind the desired odds of 3,000 deportations a day. The governor and the mayor should be grateful to the president that he helps to restore order. Newsom held against it. « Tom, take me off. Let’s get down to business. »

Trump’s abuse of power

Trump is legally moving with his decree in a gray area. He relies on a rarely used law that allows the National Guard send if « a rebellion or the risk of a rebellion against the authority of the United States ».

« This is unprecedented, » criticized Elizabeth Goitein from the Brennan Center for Justice. « The use of the military to suppress civil unrest should be an absolutely last remedy. » The expert of the Civil Rights Organization ACLU, Hina Shamsi, spoke of an « unnecessary » reaction to protests that is provocative and representing a abuse of power.

So far, the president has not activated the « Insurrection Act », which would authorize active troops to suppress up risks. Right-wing expert Steve Vladeck at the renowned Georgetown University in Washington points out that the powers of the national guards remain limited.

Governor wants to sue government

Analysts see signs that Trump tries to stage an emergency that allows him to demonstrate strength. He praised the National Guard’s approach in a post at 11:41 p.m. on Saturday evening as a « great job. » In fact, the first soldiers only arrived in Los Angeles four hours later.

Governor Newsom officially demands the withdrawal of the National Guard. In a letter to Defense Minister Pete Hegseth, he demanded that Trump should revoke the use of the troops, since the federal measures only fueled the situation. « Trump sent the national guard to generate chaos and violence, » Newsom wrote to X. « Now things have been destabilized and we have to send more police forces just to clean up Trump’s chaos. »

The governor also announced that the government was sued for the « illegal » commitment and accused Trump a « serious violation of federal sovereignty ». The decision was not made « because there is a lack of police forces, but because Trump wants a spectacle. »

This helps the president to distract from the epic dispute with Elon Musk, the crumbling of his « Big Beautiful Bill » in the congress and the return of a family father deported by the Supreme Court wrongly deported. At least this mission seemed to have reached the president on Monday.