Trump’s Power Play in Los Angeles

National Guard troops, immigration raids, and Democratic resistance converge in a high-stakes clash over federal authority and civil dissent.

Hey Small Biters,

Los Angeles was the epicenter of a political and constitutional crisis this week as President Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the city in response to mass protests triggered by a wave of ICE immigration raids. These weren’t routine detentions. Workers were pulled from warehouse jobs, day laborers detained in parking lots, and demonstrators arrested outside a downtown federal detention center. The White House described the raids as an “enforcement surge.” Critics called it a provocation.

Among the arrested was SEIU California president David Huerta, who was observing the raids as a legal monitor. His detention sent shockwaves through political and labor circles, with state officials demanding immediate explanations. On the streets, protests erupted—some peaceful, others volatile. In Compton and Paramount, confrontations escalated, and injuries were reported. A British photojournalist was hospitalized after being struck by a projectile during a dispersal action.

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What made this moment historic wasn’t just the raids or the demonstrations. It was Trump’s invocation of Title 10 authority to federalize California’s National Guard without the governor’s consent—a move not taken in over 60 years. Governor Gavin Newsom, visibly outraged, said the deployment was “deliberately inflammatory,” accusing the administration of manufacturing chaos to justify federal control. Mayor Karen Bass joined in, warning that bringing armed troops into civilian neighborhoods would only worsen tensions.