Los Angeles, USA—Thousands of demonstrators have flooded the streets of Los Angeles this week, protesting against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and his decision to deploy federal troops in the city. The unrest has prompted California to challenge the federal intervention in court, with a hearing set for Thursday.
The U.S. military announced that 700 Marines will join up to 4,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles by the end of the week. Their mission is to protect federal properties and assist agents involved in immigration enforcement. This move comes after Trump’s earlier deployment of the National Guard in response to escalating protests sparked by a series of immigration raids.
California is seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the troops from participating in law enforcement activities. The state ultimately hopes for a ruling that would return control of the National Guard to California authorities, arguing that the president’s actions are illegal.
The protests began last Friday following recent immigration raids. President Trump called in the National Guard on Saturday and ordered additional military support by Monday. He defended his actions, stating, “If I didn’t act quickly, Los Angeles would be burning to the ground right now.”
Experts warn that Trump’s handling of the protests and his aggressive immigration policies could further deepen social divisions in the United States. Diao Daming, a professor at the School of International Studies at Renmin University, commented that the protests are a direct result of the administration’s stringent approach to illegal immigration.
Since taking office, Trump has expanded the authority of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), directing the agency to increase arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants. This has led to strong opposition, particularly in California, a state known for its sanctuary policies that provide protections for undocumented residents.
Los Angeles, as a sanctuary city, has been a focal point in the clash between federal and local authorities. The city’s refusal to use local resources to aid in federal immigration enforcement has put it at odds with Trump’s priorities. Diao noted that this standoff is indicative of the broader partisan struggles characterizing American politics today, warning that aggressive federal tactics may exacerbate existing social tensions.
Su Xiaohui, an associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, observed that the escalating conflicts between federal and local authorities are intensifying political polarization. She pointed out that public disagreements between Trump and prominent figures like billionaire Elon Musk, who has criticized the government’s actions, are further fueling partisan divides.
Sun Taiyi, an associate professor of political science at Christopher Newport University, questioned the legal justification for Trump’s troop deployment. He argued that the protest sites, which included local businesses and public spaces, did not meet the criteria for federal intervention, traditionally reserved for protecting federal facilities like the Pentagon or Capitol Hill.
Despite assurances from local officials that the situation was under control, Trump proceeded with the deployment. Sun suggested that the president is using the crisis to bolster his political standing while diverting attention from other pressing issues, such as economic concerns stemming from his trade policies.
As the legal showdown approaches, many are watching closely to see how this conflict between state and federal authorities will unfold and what it means for the future of immigration policy and civil unrest in the United States.
