Los Angeles spent Tuesday night under curfew amid continued efforts to quell five days of unrest. US President Donald Trump had sparked a national debate last week after taking the extraordinary step of sending the National Guard and Marines to quell protests — pitting the Republican leader against the Democratic governor of California. The situation has also created a rift within the Democratic party with several leaders breaking rank to side with their ‘rivals’ on a recent House resolution.
Seventy-five democrats joined Republicans on Monday to vote for a resolution that condemned antisemitism and expressed “gratitude” for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement personnel. The development came even as Los Angeles reeled under political unrest following ICE raids and dozens of arrests in several downtown city neighbourhoods. The incidents had subsequently sparked a sweeping spread of anti-ICE demonstrations.
California Governor Gavin Newsom (widely seen as preparing for a presidential run in 2028) and the state of California sued Trump and the Defense Department on Monday — seeking to block the deployment of federal troops. Trump in turn has suggested Newsom should be arrested. Hundreds of US Marines arrived in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday under orders from Trump, after he also ordered the deployment of 4,000 National Guard to the city. Marines and National Guard are to be used in the protection of government personnel and buildings and not in police action.
The resolution on Monday condemned a recent antisemitic attack in Colorado where the suspect — Mohamed Sabry Soliman — faces 118 criminal charges for targeting a march seeking the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza. It also affirmed that “that free and open communication between State and local law enforcement and their federal counterparts remains the bedrock of public safety and is necessary in preventing terrorist attacks; and expresses gratitude to law enforcement officers, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, for protecting the homeland.”
Democratic leaders have raised concerns over a national crisis in what has become the most intense flashpoint yet in the Trump administration’s efforts to deport migrants living in the country illegally, and then crack down on opponents who take to the streets in protest.Trump, voted back into office last year largely for his promise to deport undocumented immigrants, used a speech honoring soldiers on Tuesday to defend his decision. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tuesday posted photos on X of National Guard troops accompanying ICE officers on an immigration raid. Trump administration officials have vowed to redouble the immigration raids in response to the street protests.
(With inputs from agencies)
