Bernie Sanders, the U.S. senator, reacted to Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to suppress protesters, stating that this move signals America’s descent into a dictatorial political structure.
In recent days, widespread public protests have erupted across the United States.
The latest unrest occurred in the city of Paramount, where protesters clashed with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following reports of deportation raids.
Although no raids took place at the scene, tensions escalated near a Home Depot store, prompting authorities to use tear gas and non-lethal rounds to disperse the crowd.
These protests follow three immigration raids across Los Angeles on Friday, which resulted in 44 administrative arrests and the detention of David Huerta, president of SEIU California, on obstruction charges.
The ongoing demonstrations, fueled by anger over recent immigration enforcement actions and arrests inside federal courthouses, have heightened tensions in the region.
Following protests against forced deportations, Donald Trump, the U.S. president, ordered the deployment of the National Guard to suppress demonstrators in California early Sunday morning.
According to The Washington Post, following Trump’s directive, members of the California National Guard arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday morning. The U.S. president ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the city in response to the protests.
The U.S. Northern Command stated that these troops belong to the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which claims to be the largest combat unit in the California Army National Guard.
Local news station KABC reported that National Guard members stopped near Los Angeles City Hall before arriving at a federal building. Footage showed troops unloading equipment from their vehicles.
Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard against protesters has sparked widespread backlash. In response, Bernie Sanders told CNN that Trump’s move indicates America is sliding into a dictatorial political framework.
Sanders said:
“Trump’s decision to send the National Guard to California is a sign that the country is rapidly moving toward authoritarianism. To a large extent, the future of this country lies in the hands of a small number of Republicans in the House and Senate who should know better. It’s time for them to defend our Constitution.”
Trump Escalates Tensions in the U.S.
Rachel E. VanLandingham, a former Air Force lawyer and professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, told The Washington Post:
“While activating the National Guard—without California’s request for assistance—is escalatory and unusual, it hasn’t yet crossed the line of civilian-military relations.”
She added:
“State-controlled National Guard forces have broader law enforcement powers, but federally controlled troops face more restrictions. They can perform logistical and support missions but, by law, cannot conduct immigration raids, arrests, or home searches.”
She warned:
“However, if Trump invokes the Insurrection Act, this could quickly and easily become a deadly and constitutional crisis.”