In a highly controversial move, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles on Sunday to quell protests related to aggressive immigration raids. The action marks one of the most aggressive uses of presidential authority in decades and has reignited debate over the limits of executive power in the United States.
This is the first time since 1965 that a U.S. president has deployed a state’s National Guard without the request or approval of that state’s governor. The deployment, which occurred under the rarely used Insurrection Act—originally intended to defend the nation from foreign invasion—was described by critics as an authoritarian display of force. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth even raised the possibility of deploying Marines, echoing the militarized response during the 1992 Los Angeles riots following the Rodney King verdict.
Legal and Political Fallout
Ryan Enos, a political science professor at Harvard University, called the move a “clear authoritarian show of strength,” questioning the administration’s decision to focus on Los Angeles, a liberal stronghold, rather than areas governed by Trump-aligned officials.
Legal experts and political analysts warn that this escalation could be an intentional test of constitutional boundaries. In recent days, Trump has threatened political rivals, suggested punitive actions against private business leaders like Elon Musk, and proposed halting federal funding to Democratic-led states. He has also directed the Department of Justice to investigate former President Joe Biden and other Obama-era officials.
Vice President JD Vance and other Trump allies have amplified the rhetoric, describing protests and migrant communities as an “invasion.” Stephen Miller, one of the architects of the administration’s immigration policy, publicly supported mass deportations, regardless of cost, and endorsed social media posts calling for widespread crackdowns.
Crackdowns on Migrant Communities
The Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, has justified the immigration raids by claiming they are focused on removing “criminal aliens.” However, reports from Los Angeles indicate that the raids have been broader in scope. For example, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents recently detained day laborers at a Home Depot, raising concerns about indiscriminate targeting.
A particularly troubling incident occurred in Arizona, where a U.S. Marshal was mistakenly arrested during a sweep. ICE later admitted he matched a suspect’s description, highlighting the chaotic nature of the operation.
Despite such missteps, the Trump administration has defended its actions as necessary to “halt and reverse the invasion of illegal criminals,” according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Democratic Institutions Under Strain
Critics argue that Trump’s strategy is designed to provoke a political reaction. “They want these mass deportations to be disruptive,” said David Bier, director of immigration studies at the libertarian Cato Institute. “It creates a political spectacle that justifies further power grabs.”
Andrew Weinstein, a former U.S. delegate to the United Nations under President Biden, expressed grave concern. “This is about more than immigration,” he said. “The politicization of the military, attacks on higher education, and fast-track deportations without due process are part of a broader authoritarian agenda. Each action weakens the democratic foundation a little more.”
Public Opinion and Congressional Silence
Despite the controversy, public support for Trump’s immigration strategy remains relatively strong. A recent CBS/YouGov poll showed 54% of Americans supported the overall crackdown, although that number fell when respondents were asked about deporting non-criminal migrants.
In contrast to Trump’s first term—when then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper pushed back against deploying troops during Black Lives Matter protests—this time there has been little dissent within the administration or among congressional Republicans.
On Sunday, Trump made it clear that he had no plans to back down: “We’re going to have troops everywhere,” he told reporters. “We’re not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden.”
The deployment in Los Angeles represents a critical flashpoint in America’s ongoing debate over immigration, presidential authority, and the boundaries of democracy itself.
