I don’t have much to add here, except to share information and link to the source. While not at all surprising, this is a distressing turn of events. He is dancing on a very dangerous line.
I. What Trump Did (and Didn’t) Do
There are a lot of misunderstandings and misinformation out there about what Trump has and hasn’t done, and given that I’ve covered these topics before, it seemed worth a quick explainer on why this move is a big deal—but why it also is not as drastic an escalation (or abuse) as many had feared, at least not yet.
The TL;DR here is that Trump has not (yet) invoked the Insurrection Act, which means that the 2000 additional troops that will soon be brought to bear will not be allowed to engage in ordinary law enforcement activities without violating a different law—the Posse Comitatus Act. All that these troops will be able to do is provide a form of force protection and other logistical support for ICE personnel. Whether that, in turn, leads to further escalation is the bigger issue (and, indeed, may be the very purpose of their deployment). But at least as I’m writing this, we’re not there yet.
II. Why the Memorandum is Still Alarming…
That said, there are still at least three reasons to be deeply concerned about President Trump’s (hasty) actions on Saturday night:
First, there is the obvious concern that, even as they are doing nothing more than “protecting” ICE officers discharging federal functions, these federalized troops will end up using force—in response to real or imagined violence or threats of violence against those officers. In other words, there’s the very real possibility that having federal troops on the ground will only raise the risk of escalating violence—not decrease it.
Second, and related, there is the possibility that that’s a feature, and not a bug—that this is meant as a precursor, with federalizing a modest number of National Guard troops today invoked, some time later, as a justification for more aggressive responses to anti-ICE protests, including, perhaps invocation of the Insurrection Act. In other words, it’s possible that this step is meant to both be and look modest so that, if and when it “fails,” the government can invoke its failure as a basis for a more aggressive domestic deployment of troops. What happens in and around Los Angeles in the next few days will have a lot to say about this.
Third, and perhaps most significantly, as I wrote in April, “domestic use of the military can nevertheless be corrosive—to the morale of the troops involved, all of a sudden, in policing their own; to the relationship between local/state governments and the federal government; and to the broader relationship between the military and civil society.” Even uses of the military for relatively modest purposes can have those corrosive effects—especially where, as here, it seems so transparently in service of the President’s policy agenda, and not necessarily the need to restore law and order on the streets of America’s second largest city.
Even as someone who thinks the federal government has both the constitutional and statutory authority to override local and state governments when it comes to law and order (see, e.g., President Eisenhower sending troops into Little Rock to enforce Brown), it seems to me that there is something deeply pernicious about invoking any of these authorities except in circumstances in which their necessity is a matter of consensus beyond the President’s political supporters. The law may well allow President Trump to do what he did Saturday night. But just because something is legal does not mean that it is wise—for the present or future of our Republic.
A lot depends on what happens next. For now, the key takeaways are that there really isn’t much that these federalized National Guard troops will be able to do—and that this might be the very reason why this is the step the President is taking tonight, rather than something even more aggressive.
japa21
Quick question.
In the case of the Jan 6 insurrection, the National Guard was finally sent in but not allowed to be armed. Is this NG deployment armed?
YY_Sima Qian
Also worth keeping a close eye on the attitude of LAPD. So far, the leadership is mouthing the right word about not needing federal help, but PDs in the US are often independent fiefdoms in city governments, w/ virtual veto power over the mayors. Early on during the ICE raids, it seemed that the LAPD was playing a supporting role establishing perimeters. Can’t assume they will be on the side of defending local autonomy or Constitutional order.
Then there is the frightening possibility of false flags by the reactionaries to instigate unrest, to justify direct intervention by federalized troops as well as physical crack downs.
schrodingers_cat
Do you have Steve Valdeck’s permission to produce the bulk of his article here?
WhatsMyNym
@schrodingers_cat: As he says:
schrodingers_cat
@WhatsMyNym: Sharing it, means sharing a link. Not copying the entire article and pasting it on your blog.
Erin
Does anyone knowledgeable here think that there’s a relationship between this in LA and bringing tanks into DC on Saturday? I’m concerned he will use this as an excuse to keep the tanks in DC.
lowtechcyclist
@schrodingers_cat:
“Less than half” is a new meaning of “the bulk of” that I’ve previously been unfamiliar with.
ETA: Same for “the entire article.”
schrodingers_cat
How did you come up with 40%
Melancholy Jaques
@YY_Sima Qian:
Adding this for people who are not familiar with Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County Sheriffs are a large and important police force. Along with unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County, there are suburbs that contract with the Sheriffs Department to do their policing. These places are nearly always referred to as “Los Angeles” on the news.
Such is the case with Paramount and Compton, the two cities where yesterday’s events took place.
This is notable because the LASD is a more fascist friendly organization than the LAPD.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
The word is the LAPD though it was nothing burger. Apparently ICE chasing day laborers who tend congregate in Home Depot parking lot has been going on a long time.
Seems unlikely, the Hispanics are pretty pissed off. The El Salvadorian at work was yelling at a Trumper at work and I had to break up it.
WaterGirl
@Erin: There is much to be concerned about as this move is an escalation, but there’s no way to know what’s in his head. If he tried to keep tanks in DC, I think he would not be pleased with the outcome.
Scout211
What can we do?
YY_Sima Qian
@Melancholy Jaques: Great point about the LASD.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
I will point out that the police force in the California Town I live is mostly hispanice, and last I checked that’s the same for the Cal National Guard. I was told my by two friends that were in the Army Reserve and activated for the Rodney King Riots that the Cal Guard almost turned on the racist scum LAPD during the riot. Miller and company might be surprised over what will happen.
YY_Sima Qian
@Enhanced Voting Techniques: There are more than a few Hispanic MAGA authoritarian types. By voting for Trump & the MAGA agenda, the at least some of the Hispanics who did so showed where they stood, that reactionary social & political values mattered more than racial/ethnic/class solidarity.
All that is needed is a few willing to carry out the false flag, but this is just idle speculation at this point.
YY_Sima Qian
@Enhanced Voting Techniques: Crossing fingers that you are right.
Jackie
I saw earlier today protesters aren’t allowed to wear masks, with FFOTUS saying “what do you have to hide?” How about ICE agents? Why are they hiding behind masks?
Secondly, and more likely, protesters wearing masks to protect themselves against teargas and anything else chemically sprayed at them by ICE agents and law enforcement.
That Neil Young song brings back sad, angry feelings, and it’s perfect for this moment.
WaterGirl
@Scout211: That’s a terrific response! Call it out early and loudly before he takes another inch.
Scout211
A different sort of MAGA meltdown and media appeasement:
More at the link, with screen caps of the tweets.
Terry Moran was the reporter who confronted Trump on the photoshop of Abrego Garcia’s hands.
And really, every Trump Truth Social post is unhinged and unacceptable but yeah, let’s attack Terry Moran and suspend him. Ugh!
comrade scotts agenda of rage
Are there any court actions either underway or ready to be filed about this ‘federalization’ of the National Guard?
Eyeroller
Trump has wanted to have troops or cops, or really anybody, shoot protestors for years. He made it quite explicit during his first term. We’ll have to see what happens.
Splitting Image
@Jackie:
Wilhoit’s law in action. The protesters are bound by the law but not protected by it. ICE is protected by the law but not bound by it.
Melancholy Jaques
@Scout211:
Wonder who deleted the post and why?
WaterGirl
@Scout211: That’s really short-sighted on the part of ABC. What the hell is wrong with them that they won’t defend their own people?
Librettist
@Scout211:
Aside, what in the world is the point of deleting anything from the internet? “Since deleted” is now synonymous with salaciousness. Do they teach that at Columbia and Syracuse?
The stink cloud around dopey is always big mad at the press. Because they never know what will set the creature off and toss someone overboard.
I predict Bondi is next, unless Miller can’t let his wife go.
Eyeroller
@WaterGirl:
1, They want to merge with some company called Skydance which requires permission from the government. I’m not sure where that stands now, but as recently as a couple of months ago, Trump was holding it up.
2. Major media always collapses from Republican pressure. They stand up to Democrats just fine.
Snarki, child of Loki
“But just because something is legal does not mean that it is wise”
Trump doesn’t DO “wise”.
It is known.
Librettist
@Snarki, child of Loki:
He always blames the minions he tasks with stirring up shit…. for stirring up shit.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
Bella of Ranch on the LA, What?
She says the protest are over and the national guard call out was typical BS from Taco.
Librettist
@Eyeroller:
Wrong company.
Nuisance media lawsuits is to Trump what defenestration is to Putin.
Muzzles the press.
Another Scott
ICYMI, …
[ chef’s kiss ]
(via https://mastodon.social/explore )
Best wishes,
Scott.
Wapiti
@Erin: I was in a Army civil affairs unit that had been in Somalia. The guys who had been deployed were mostly Special Forces NCOs. They said that in the first days, a soldier in body armor could jump off a truck and walk through a crowd which would part in front of him. Later, not so much.
“Familiarity breeds contempt,” was their consensus.
Using the US military to support unpopular law enforcement actions will erode the citizenry’s approval of the military.
dww44
@Eyeroller: I thought it was CBS parent company Paramount that was seeking to merge with Skydance? ABC used to be a part of Disney.
Sadly, we are learning firsthand that for profit corporate media will not stand up to the bully with his hands in control of the government purse strings and contracts. If we make it to the other side of this Presidency we need to fix that . Legislate that corporate behemoths spin off media if they are unable to let them be independent.
WaterGirl
@comrade scotts agenda of rage: Hope so!
WaterGirl
@Eyeroller: That’s because they don’t expect petty, vicious payback from Dems.
Trivia Man
Yes, 2,000 ng troops for 60 days is not much. But in the order it says Sec Def can use active duty military anytime anywhere there is violence or POTENTIAL violence against any federal property. “We think someone is planning to throw rocks at a DHS vehicle.”
I urge you to read the full memo.
Jackie
Is FFOTUS setting up an excuse for canceling 2026 elections?
This is my concern, too.
WaterGirl
@Trivia Man: Do you have a link to the memo? I can add it to the post.
WaterGirl
@Jackie: Would Repubicans vote to impeach him, even then? I think not.
Steve LaBonne
Those of us in Ohio know only too well what can come of having National Guard troops where they have no business being.
Ksmiami06
@WaterGirl: we need to change. Petty and vicious payback is the way through
Steve LaBonne
@WaterGirl: There are no longer any Republicans. When it comes time to choose they are all Trumpers.
Jackie
@WaterGirl:
Why would they? Keeping the Majority is all that matters.
Steve LaBonne
@Ksmiami06: And frankly without being too scrupulous about the law and the Constitution. Basketball where the basket for only one team is 3 feet off the ground would not be a viable game.
Trivia Man
@WaterGirl: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/department-of-defense-security-for-the-protection-of-department-of-homeland-security-functions/
Ksmiami06
@Steve LaBonne: the Republicans are the enemy. That’s just the reality now. The opposition needs to start treating them so.
kindness
I admit, I’m a little twisted but I know I’m not alone thinking Stephen Miller’s fantasies had CA civilians provoke a shooting response by the Guard. Glad our side hasn’t taken the bait. Yet.
Matt McIrvin
@kindness: been seeing lefties on other social media straight-up telling people to do things that will get them shot, and I wonder if they’re agents provocateurs.
“Let’s you and him fight…” –J. Wellington Wimpy
Steve LaBonne
@Matt McIrvin: I don’t wonder. We’ve seen it before.
Geminid
@Matt McIrvin: I see a multitude of people like that on Middle East Twitter: keyboard commandos encouraging others to fight wars for them. Usually the intended enemy is Israel; less often it’s Turkiye. There is incessant criticism of Syrian President al-Sharaa along these lines that’s part of a larger, organized effort to prevent Syria from stabilizing. Like the American Lefties you mention, these warmongers typically type from a place safety.
I don’t pay the US version much attention; there’re not very numerous for all the noise they make. I worry more about violent, “Black Bloc”-type anarchists piggybacking onto the protests; also, Proud Boy-types acting as agent-provacateurs. I saw both operating during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.
David Collier-Brown
@Scout211: If Moran is thinking of leaving, someone should whisper “constructive dismissal” in his ear. After all, he’s being fired by Mr Trump threatening his employer. That should be made clear and obvious.
WaterGirl
@Trivia Man: Thank you! I added a link up top.
Thought crimes + they get to delegate their authority as they see fit, so I suppose thugs in masks will get to make life & death decisions.
Ruckus
@Ksmiami06:
This may have a level of truth to it – but.
Making something near half the population an enemy of the other half does not control the situation. And it could easily make it far worse.
We are at a crossroads in this country. In a democracy political sides can mean more than how people vote. And it can get worse. This is a time for level headedness, not force. Now that doesn’t mean it won’t escalate, I think it’s likely that it will. We are dealing with national power, which can be large, unyielding and misused. We are on a dangerous, windy political road here and now. We have to be aware of all the sides and issues here. It can get a lot worse before it gets better. It doesn’t have to but it can. The two sides to our politics has gotten windier and more dangerous for our future. How do we fix it? Your guess is very likely to be as good as mine, as is anyone else’s. But is jumping in feet first without any concept of what is being jumped into reasonable, rational, the way forward? If anyone actually knows I hope they are in control.
I’m not trying to inflame or excite every or any one. I’m saying we are at a major political crossroads – in a democracy. How we move forward, what we do at this moment in time can change a lot more than many think. And it may no matter what we do or don’t do. But it shouldn’t have to. But I’d bet it does. In some ways I’m glad I’m an old, but in others I really, really wish I wasn’t.
I have no plan, no real idea, but I hope that someone does.
lowtechcyclist
@Ruckus:
I just want to say that I appreciate the wisdom in your comment. Particularly the quoted part here, but the rest of it as well.
Gloria DryGarden
@japa21: we would have liked the NG to be armed on Jan 6. President calls them, adjusts the dial on how armed they are, what?
@Geminid: getting violent would be playing into their hands. There was some rock throwing last night in LA. Dang it.
I’m putting together some of the thoughts in these threads that touch on LA and immigrant workers. I realize, if day laborer guys are congregating in a Home Depot lot, it might be they didn’t get a day labor job that morning, but hope some of the diy folks at Home Depot might like to hire some help.
I’ll never forget when my sewer pipe broke and made a sinkhole in my garden bed at thanksgiving, it was a couple of immigrant guys the sewer repair company sent to fix it for me the day after thanksgiving. Most Americans were on the 4 day weekend holiday. But these guys were willing to come out and do a thankless job, digging a 7 foot trench, at least 3 feet deep in my clay, to lay new pipe. I was so thankful.
Matt McIrvin
@Geminid: Like I said earlier, my understanding is that the old Sixties rule was that the tough guy in your radical group who was saying this stuff was the cop.
In the George Floyd protests the white-nationalist Boogaloo Bois were the ones setting the fires.