Latest news with #U.S.Code12406
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hegseth defends National Guard LA deployments, says ICE agents must be protected
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday forcefully defended the deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, accusing California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass of failing to protect ICE agents and citizens from violent rioters — and asserting that Trump is stepping in to do the job. Hegseth sparred with Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., during a heated House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, asserting that the president had the legal authority to deploy the troops since rioters had attacked ICE agents and torched property in parts of the sanctuary city – while waving Mexican flags and flags of other nations. "The governor of California is unable to execute the laws of the United States," Hegseth said. "The governor of California has failed to protect his people, along with the mayor of Los Angeles and so President Trump has said he will protect our agents and our Guard and Marines are proud to do it." Trump Takes Action Against 'Orchestrated Attack' On Law Enforcement By Deploying Marines To La: Assemblyman Hegseth justified the decision for the Trump administration to intervene, saying that every American citizen deserves to live in a community that is safe, and that ICE agents need to be able to do their job. The riots broke out on Friday as ICE agents were taking part in deportation raids in the city, fulfilling a key part of Trump's immigration enforcement agenda. "They're being attacked for doing their job, which is deporting illegal criminals that should happen in any city, Minneapolis or Los Angeles," Hegseth said. "And if they're attacked, that's lawless and President Trump believes in law and order, so he has every authority." Read On The Fox News App Aguilar questioned whether Trump had the authority to deploy National Guard troops under 10 U.S. Code 12406, citing three examples of when it can be used while also blasting the administration for not consulting with the state before doing so. Trump has deployed 2,000 National Guardsmen and around 700 U.S. Marines. California Lt. Governor Says Los Angeles Riots Are 'Generated By Donald Trump' "Invasion by a foreign nation, rebellion or dangerous rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States, or the president is unable with regular forces to execute the laws of the United States," Aguilar said. "Which authority is triggered here to justify the use?" But Hegseth fired back and said, "it sounds like all three to me." "If you've got millions of illegals, you don't know where they're coming from. They're waving flags from foreign countries and assaulting police officers and law enforcement officers. You and I both know that President Trump has all the authority necessary, and thankfully, he's willing to do it on behalf of the citizens of Los Angeles, on behalf of our ICE agents and behalf of our country." Aguilar also raised concern that the troops were ill-prepared, since pictures were posted of them sleeping on floors in uniform. "That's a disingenuous attack that misrepresents how much we care about our troops… Nobody cares more about the troops at the top than this secretary and the chairman in our department," Hegseth said. "The commanders and troops on the field are very well prepared... There are moments where you make do as best you can temporarily, but we are ensuring they're housed, fed, [and have] water capabilities in real time from my office." Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Bryn MacDonnell testified that the cost of the deployment is expected to be $134 million, with funds being pulled from regular operational accounts. Elsewhere, Hegseth said the department would need $961.6 billion in the fiscal year 2026 budget, which would be used to rebuild military strength, countering China, border security and funding the new Golden Dome missile defense system. A 10.5% pay raise was also secured for junior enlisted article source: Hegseth defends National Guard LA deployments, says ICE agents must be protected
Fox News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Hegseth defends National Guard LA deployments, says ICE agents must be protected
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday forcefully defended the deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, accusing California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass of failing to protect ICE agents and citizens from violent rioters — and asserting that Trump is stepping in to do the job. Hegseth sparred with Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., during a heated House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, asserting that the president had the legal authority to deploy the troops since rioters had attacked ICE agents and torched property in parts of the sanctuary city – while waving Mexican flags and flags of other nations. "The governor of California is unable to execute the laws of the United States," Hegseth said. "The governor of California has failed to protect his people, along with the mayor of Los Angeles and so President Trump has said he will protect our agents and our Guard and Marines are proud to do it." Hegseth justified the decision for the Trump administration to intervene, saying that every American citizen deserves to live in a community that is safe, and that ICE agents need to be able to do their job. The riots broke out on Friday as ICE agents were taking part in deportation raids in the city, fulfilling a key part of Trump's immigration enforcement agenda. "They're being attacked for doing their job, which is deporting illegal criminals that should happen in any city, Minneapolis or Los Angeles," Hegseth said. "And if they're attacked, that's lawless and President Trump believes in law and order, so he has every authority." Aguilar questioned whether Trump had the authority to deploy National Guard troops under 10 U.S. Code 12406, citing three examples of when it can be used while also blasting the administration for not consulting with the state before doing so. Trump has deployed 2,000 National Guardsmen and around 700 U.S. Marines. "Invasion by a foreign nation, rebellion or dangerous rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States, or the president is unable with regular forces to execute the laws of the United States," Aguilar said. "Which authority is triggered here to justify the use?" But Hegseth fired back and said, "it sounds like all three to me." "If you've got millions of illegals, you don't know where they're coming from. They're waving flags from foreign countries and assaulting police officers and law enforcement officers. You and I both know that President Trump has all the authority necessary, and thankfully, he's willing to do it on behalf of the citizens of Los Angeles, on behalf of our ICE agents and behalf of our country." Aguilar also raised concern that the troops were ill-prepared, since pictures were posted of them sleeping on floors in uniform. "That's a disingenuous attack that misrepresents how much we care about our troops… Nobody cares more about the troops at the top than this secretary and the chairman in our department," Hegseth said. "The commanders and troops on the field are very well prepared... There are moments where you make do as best you can temporarily, but we are ensuring they're housed, fed, [and have] water capabilities in real time from my office." Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Bryn MacDonnell testified that the cost of the deployment is expected to be $134 million, with funds being pulled from regular operational accounts. Elsewhere, Hegseth said the department would need $961.6 billion in the fiscal year 2026 budget, which would be used to rebuild military strength, countering China, border security and funding the new Golden Dome missile defense system. A 10.5% pay raise was also secured for junior enlisted troops.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's memo activating the National Guard doesn't specify L.A. It could apply anywhere and preemptively, legal expert says
The White House memo federalizing National Guard troops in response to protests in Los Angeles this weekend doesn't specify a city or state for their deployment. It also authorizes their activation in areas where protests 'are occurring or are likely to occur.' A legal scholar said that means the memo could apply anywhere and preemptively. President Donald Trump's activation of California National Guard troops could go beyond Los Angeles and the unrest that took place there over the weekend. The memo he issued on Saturday that federalized the National Guard in the wake of protests against his immigration raids doesn't specify a city or state for their deployment. It also authorizes the activation of the National Guard in areas where protests 'are occurring or are likely to occur.' According to Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Brennan Center's Liberty and National Security Program, that means it could apply nationwide and even before any protests actually take place. 'No president has ever federalized the National Guard for purposes of responding to potential future civil unrest anywhere in the country,' she wrote Sunday in a thread on X. 'Preemptive deployment is literally the opposite of deployment as a last resort. It would be a shocking abuse of power and the law.' The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The memo invokes Title 10 of U.S. Code 12406 to task the Guard with temporarily protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and other government personnel performing federal functions. That's because the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 largely prevents federal troops from engaging in civil law enforcement domestically, leaving the Guard with force-protection duties and other logistical support for ICE. During Sunday's protests in downtown Los Angeles, the Guard protected the federal building while the L.A. Police Department and the California Highway Patrol pushed demonstrators back and made arrests. Still, Trump ordered the deployment despite objections from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said he is suing the administration and claimed it illegally sent in the troops. There is an exception to the Posse Comitatus Act that would allow troops to take a more active role in law enforcement, but the Insurrection Act has not been invoked yet. Nevertheless, Trump's memo said members of the 'regular Armed Forces' can be deployed as well to support the 'protection of Federal functions and property.' The Defense Department said on Sunday that 500 Marines at Twentynine Palms are in a 'prepared to deploy status' in case they are needed. When asked Sunday if he planned to send U.S. troops to Los Angeles, Trump replied, 'We're gonna have troops everywhere. We're not going to let this happen to our country. We're not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden.' The Brennan Center's Goitein pointed out that Trump's memo doesn't cite a law that would authorize deployment of active-duty troops. 'The administration would likely claim an inherent constitutional right to protect federal personnel and property (in keeping with the memo's language). But the Posse Comitatus requires 'express' authorization—not a claim of implied power,' she added. 'In short: Don't let the absence of the words 'Insurrection Act' fool you. Trump has authorized the deployment of troops anywhere in the country where protests against ICE activity might occur. That is a huge red flag for democracy in the United States.' This story was originally featured on
