LA Protests: Tensions Rise Between California Governor and Trump

Morocco World

2 days ago

Rabat — As the protests in Los Angeles stretch into their fifth day, tensions between California's Governor Gavin Newsom and US President Donald Trump have escalated dramatically. The unrest, initially sparked by federal agents targeting the migrant community, has now become a focal point for a fierce political confrontation.
Most protests have remained largely peaceful, with many demonstrators calling for justice and reform. However, the situation has become more volatile following the federal government's decision to deploy thousands of troops to LA.
Trump initially sent 2,000 National Guardsmen, but has since increased this number by an additional 2,000 troops and activated 700 Marines, further bypassing state authority and raising concerns about militarization and the suppression of civil dissent.
A controversial deployment of troops
Governor Gavin Newsom condemned this escalation, accusing Trump of 'trying to invoke chaos by sending 4,000 soldiers onto American soil'— inadvertently voicing out a reality that many in the global south have faced under American imperialism under the emblem of democracy.
'US Marines serve a valuable purpose for this country—defending democracy. They are not political pawns,' Newsom stated. 'The Secretary of Defense is illegally deploying them onto American streets so Trump can have a talking point at his parade this weekend,' he said, referencing the upcoming parade scheduled in Washington, DC, on June 14, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US military. Unsurprisingly, this date coincides with Trump's 79th birthday—conveniently aligning with his ego and desire for a grand spectacle.
The state is now suing Trump for sending in troops without the governor's permission as it is highly unusual for the American military to have any domestic law enforcement role without a direct request from the governor.
In a provocative move, Trump told reporters outside the White House that he would arrest Governor Newsom if he could. 'I would do it if I were Tom Homan,' Trump said, referring to the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
'I think it's great,' Trump added, suggesting he supports the idea of Newsom's arrest.
In response, Governor Newsom took to X to condemn the threats, saying, 'This is a day I hoped I would never see in America. I don't care if you're a Democrat or Republican—this is a line we cannot cross as a nation. This is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.'
When asked about the possibility of being arrested, Newsom remarked during an interview with Pod Save America, that he has been seriously considering this possibility which 'says everything you need to know about who's in the White House right now.'
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed concerns about the federal escalation. Speaking to CNN, she argued that the unrest was a direct response to aggressive ICE raids and could have been avoided otherwise. 'This has been a recipe for pandemonium,' she said.
Bass emphasized that most protests have been peaceful, only turning unruly after Trump's decision to federalize the National Guard. She insisted that if things had gotten out of control, it was the responsibility of the state—and not the federal government—to request troop deployment.
'We were told he was going to target violent criminals, but what he's really doing is sending troops to a city with a significant immigrant population and long-standing advocacy for immigrant rights,' she said, questioning the rationale behind ICE raids in Los Angeles. 'This makes no sense—particularly when they're happening at places like Home Depot, where people are simply trying to work.'
Unsurprisingly, Trump did not recognize the ICE raids, police brutality and troop deployment as underlying causes for the escalating unrest. Instead, he dismissed the protesters as 'professional agitators' and insurrectionists who should be in jail– completely avoiding any acknowledgement of responsibility.
Legitimate protests
Despite the heightened unrest, Mayor Bass maintains that the National Guard is unnecessary at this stage and that the vandalism and violence are confined to a few streets downtown. She stressed that anyone committing crimes will be detained and that violence is not a legitimate way to promote a cause.
Newsom has also urged protesters to remain peaceful, warning that those who take advantage of the chaos will be held accountable. 'If you're protesting peacefully. Stay calm. Look out for another.' However, many activists and observers have contested the idea of a 'peaceful protest,' arguing that protests are inherently disruptive and aimed at challenging the status quo.
The LAPD has employed rubber bullets and flash-bangs—stun grenades that produce a bright flash and loud noise—to disperse crowds, claiming these measures are responses to protesters throwing objects at officers. However, footage from 9News showing a journalist being hit by a rubber bullet—despite being clearly identifiable as press and not near the protesting crowds–might suggest otherwise.
Often likened to the Gestapo—the secret police agency of Nazi Germany– the US police have deep roots in the country's history of racial discrimination and systemic oppression, with recent incidents highlighting ongoing issues of excessive force against marginalized communities.
As tensions escalate around the US, many around the world view this within the broader context of the country's history of violence both domestically and abroad–a natural outcome of the climate of violence and hatred it has fostered.