Introduction

From Campaign Promise to Action

Trump, who campaigned on restoring “law and order” and cracking down on what he called “left-wing lawlessness,” seized on protests last Saturday night in Los Angeles as an opportunity to make good on his promise. Though the LAPD described the demonstrations as largely peaceful and manageable, the Trump administration took a sharply different view.

Immigration officials claimed their agents were under physical threat, accusing local law enforcement of reacting too slowly. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the administration’s swift action, stating on CBS News that waiting “several hours” for LAPD to act—after officers reportedly said they would not intervene unless directly endangered—was “unacceptable.”

Military Mobilisation and Controversy

Ignoring objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom, the Trump administration federalised 2,000 National Guard troops stationed in California. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also placed 700 U.S. Marines on high alert for potential domestic deployment, a rare move that could place active-duty troops in direct conflict with civilians.

By Sunday morning, Trump was already declaring victory. “Thank you to the National Guard for restoring peace,” he wrote on social media, despite the fact that full deployment had not yet occurred. His administration linked the protests to what it described as the chaos of the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement and vowed that it would not allow history to repeat itself.

Democrats Push Back

Democrats swiftly condemned the action. Senator Cory Booker said the optics of masked ICE agents and military vehicles inflamed rather than calmed tensions. “This is about scaring protesters, not restoring order,” Booker told reporters, warning that such tactics could criminalize legitimate dissent and drag peaceful individuals—some attending legal immigration hearings—into unnecessary confrontations.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed those concerns, labeling the federal intervention “illegal” and “a dangerous precedent.” Business leaders in cities like Portland also reported economic disruptions from the militarized response, adding that it was harming local commerce rather than protecting it.

Legal Showdown Begins

California moved quickly to challenge Trump’s actions in court. Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit accusing the administration of violating the 10th Amendment and the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the federal government’s ability to use military forces in civilian law enforcement.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued a temporary restraining order, returning control of the National Guard to the state. However, a federal appeals court swiftly placed that ruling on hold, allowing Trump’s federalisation to remain in effect while legal proceedings continue.

Legal analysts note that the case may ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which has historically sided with presidents on national security issues—pointing to the travel ban ruling as a key precedent. Critics, however, warn that a favorable ruling could greenlight future military involvement in domestic protest scenarios.

National Unrest Spreads

The crackdown has sparked a nationwide response. More than 1,500 protests under the slogan “No Kings” have erupted across the country, culminating in tens of thousands of demonstrators. Ironically, the protests coincided with Trump’s 250th Army anniversary parade in Washington—a heavily militarized celebration now seen by many as a symbol of rising authoritarianism.

Veterans groups and former generals have also spoken out, warning that using the military against U.S. civilians violates democratic norms and damages the military’s apolitical standing. Trump dismissed those concerns, claiming the troops were there to “protect federal property from violent actors.”

Over 300 Arrested Amid Intensifying Crackdown

To date, more than 300 people have been arrested nationwide in connection with ICE-related protests. Of these, over 100 were undocumented immigrants detained during the original ICE operations, while dozens more face charges stemming from protest activities.

The protests, legal battles, and political fallout continue to dominate headlines, with both sides claiming to defend public safety and democratic principles. Whether Trump’s law-and-order strategy will prove to be a political asset or liability remains uncertain—but its impact on civil liberties and the role of federal power is already profound.