President Donald Trump has defended the deployment of National Guard troops and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles, promising to “liberate” the city from the grip of “third-world lawlessness”. Trump’s bold statement came during a speech at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, where he emphasized the need to protect federal law enforcement from violent protests. The demonstrations were sparked by ICE raids on migrant workers at local businesses, with protesters blocking freeways and setting self-driving cars ablaze.
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The situation on the ground is complex, with California Governor Gavin Newsom accusing Trump of “trampling” the state’s sovereignty. Newsom has also filed an emergency request to block the use of troops in immigration raids, citing concerns that it would escalate tensions and promote civil unrest. Meanwhile, Los Angeles officials argue that the police don’t need help, and the deployment of military personnel could put public safety at risk. The Los Angeles Police Department has made over 100 arrests, mostly for failing to disperse, and several officers have been injured.
Trump’s describing Los Angeles as “a trash heap” with neighborhoods controlled by transnational gangs and criminal networks. He claims that uncontrolled migration leads to chaos and disorder, and vows to make Los Angeles “free, clean, and safe again”. However, critics argue that Trump’s approach is divisive and inflammatory, and that his description of the city is far from the truth. A federal court has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the deployment of troops in Los Angeles, adding to the complexity of the situation
