Trump Military Parades & Politics | The New Yorker
Donald Trump’s deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles amid protests sparks legal battles and constitutional concerns. The article dives into the unprecedented federalization of the California National Guard, bypassing the governor’s consent—a move not seen since 1965. Trump’s actions, justified by a 1903 law, extend beyond California, igniting debates about the military’s role in domestic law enforcement and potential overreach. legal challenges question the constitutionality of Trump’s actions, with California’s Attorney General accusing the former president of manufacturing chaos for political gains.News Directory 3 provides an in-depth analysis of the unfolding events. What implications might this have on civil liberties? Discover what’s next …
trump’s Military Role Tested as Troops Deploy in California
Updated June 14, 2025
President Donald Trump, who has expressed regret over not deploying federal troops sooner during the 2020 protests, has now federalized the California National guard amid protests in Los Angeles sparked by immigration raids. Trump declared on June 8, “We’re going to have troops everywhere.”
The move, which bypassed California Gov. Gavin Newsom, involves directing more than 4,000 troops to L.A. This marks the first time a president has mobilized the Guard without a governor’s consent since 1965,when President Lyndon Johnson federalized the Alabama National Guard to protect civil rights marchers.
trump’s order, justified under a 1903 law concerning “rebellion or danger of rebellion,” extends beyond California, authorizing deployments to locations where protests are occurring or likely to occur. Following this,on June 9,trump ordered 700 Marines to reinforce the california Guard.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on X,”We have an obligation to defend federal law-enforcement officers—even if Gavin Newsom will not.” California swiftly sued to block the federal takeover. Attorney General Rob Bonta said, “There is no invasion. There is no rebellion,” accusing Trump of manufacturing chaos for political gain.
Trump dismissed Bonta’s claims, insisting that without federal intervention, Los Angeles “would be burning down.”
The legal battle centers on whether Trump’s actions violate the law on federalizing the Guard and represent an unconstitutional intrusion on state sovereignty. U.S.District Judge Charles Breyer initially agreed, stating Trump’s move “threatens serious injury to the constitutional balance of power” and sets a “hazardous precedent.” However, an appeals court panel put that ruling on hold.
Beyond legal technicalities, trump’s actions raise concerns about enmeshing the military in domestic law enforcement and his potential misuse of power. As Guard members arrived in L.A., heavy artillery was being unloaded in Washington, D.C., for Trump’s military parade on June 14, coinciding with the Army’s 250th anniversary and his 79th birthday. The display includes tanks, fighting vehicles, howitzers, and helicopters.
The situation carries the risk that trump might invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow the governance to use the military more aggressively for domestic law enforcement. While the Posse Comitatus Act limits the Guard and Marines’ current powers, the Insurrection Act would empower the military to conduct raids and