Protests Surge Across the US Despite Trump’s Military Threats
LOS ANGELES: Protests against the US government’s stringent immigration policies have intensified, spreading across multiple states. The demonstrations follow several days of unrest in Los Angeles, where tensions remain elevated due to President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the military.
Protests in Los Angeles and Other Cities
In Los Angeles, over 1,000 individuals gathered for the sixth consecutive day of peaceful protests, marching through the streets to voice their discontent over a crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Despite previous incidents of looting and vandalism, the atmosphere during the protests has largely remained calm.
Military Deployment Leads to Legal Disputes
The protests were ignited by aggressive immigration raids and President Trump’s decision to send the National Guard into California, despite opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom. This situation marks a rare case of a U.S. president overriding a state’s objections regarding military presence.
President Trump defended his decision, asserting, “We’re going to have a safe country,” and claimed, “If I hadn’t acted, Los Angeles would’ve been in flames.” Currently, about 1,000 of the 4,700 troops deployed are actively assisting ICE agents, while the remainder are in training or preparing for deployment. The Pentagon has estimated the operation’s cost at 134 million Dollar.
Governor Newsom accused the Trump administration of exploiting the crisis for political advantage and warned that militarization could extend to other states. California’s legal team is expected to seek a court order to prevent troops from aiding in immigration arrests, a request that federal lawyers have dismissed as a “political stunt.”
Nationwide Protest Expansion
Despite threats of further military deployment, protests have continued to escalate. Demonstrations have occurred in cities including St. Louis, Raleigh, Manhattan, Indianapolis, Spokane, Denver, and San Antonio. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has also deployed the National Guard, contributing to the unrest.
A larger protest, titled “No Kings,” is scheduled for Saturday, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday and a rare military parade in Washington, D.C. This event, which also celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, has raised concerns among critics.
“Crisis Made in Washington”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the Trump administration for provoking the situation, stating, “Things were peaceful until raids began last Friday. This crisis wasn’t local—it was triggered by the White House.”
Reports have also emerged of armed, unidentified individuals making arrests. In one instance, a pastor in Downey claimed that a Spanish-speaking man was taken by five armed men in unmarked vehicles. When she asked for identification, they pointed rifles at her and instructed her to step back.
