Press Article: Tensions Rise as Trump Federalizes National Guard in Los Angeles
President Donald Trump’s recent decision to federalize the National Guard and deploy troops to Los Angeles without obtaining the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom has ignited a contentious debate. Experts are questioning whether this action may be exacerbating the very unrest it seeks to address.
Juliette Kayyem, a CNN senior national security analyst and former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, highlighted the situation as two intertwined crises. “One is the immigration issue, with protests primarily focused on federal immigration laws,” Kayyem explained during an interview on CNN.
She noted that the second crisis arises from the federalization of the National Guard, executed against the wishes of state leadership. “The deployment of a federal military asset into Los Angeles, coupled with the White House’s discussions of ‘insurrection,’ raises serious concerns,” Kayyem stated.
According to Kayyem, the protests, though varied in legality, were “manageable from a law enforcement perspective.” Nevertheless, the federal response appears excessive and unnecessary. She expressed alarm over the absence of clear operational guidelines, stating, “No rules of engagement and no mission statement indicate a potential for escalation rather than de-escalation.”
The federal response marked a departure from standard practices, prompting Kayyem to argue that the administration owes the public a thorough explanation for such military deployments. She drew parallels to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, during which federal actions were coordinated with state authorities—a stark contrast to the current unilateral federal approach.
With tensions mounting, the implications of this federal intervention remain uncertain, raising critical questions about the balance of power and the responsibilities of the federal government during domestic unrest.
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