Trump sends military to police the streets of L.A.
Thousands of National Guardsmen have been federalized
President Trump has activated 2,000 National Guardsmen in California in response to mass protests in Los Angeles against a major ICE roundup. Trump has called the protest a riot, with administration officials posting photos on social media that allegedly depict small fires and other acts of destructive violence occurring.
Given the administration’s history of deceptive use of photography, no verification can be made that the photos are accurate depictions of events unfolding in L.A. Previously, the administration has been caught using video from the Congo in support of his accusations of white genocide in South Africa, produced an altered photograph of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s hands to falsely claim he has tattoos that read “MS13,” just to name a couple of examples.
Federalizing the National Guard clashes with the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits use of military forces for law enforcement purposes. While the National Guard can legally provide limited assistance to local law enforcement by fulfilling support roles, officials from California insist there is no need. The President’s actions have been condemned by at least 19 state Governors.
Live footage of events have shown multiple vehicles being set on fire. Other clips on social media have shown large peaceful assemblies.
Around 5:00 pm eastern time the President announced on social media that he was authorizing and directing federal agencies to “take all such action necessary” to disperse the alleged rioters.