US: Donald Trump makes broad use of presidential powers
President Donald Trump has deployed the military against protesters in Los Angeles and ignored federal court orders — moves that have prompted concern about the condition of democratic institutions in the United
US: Donald Trump makes broad use of presidential powers
President Donald Trump has deployed the military against protesters in Los Angeles and ignored federal court orders — moves that have prompted concern about the condition of democratic institutions in the United States.
A protester taunts a line of California National Guard protecting a federal building in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025
The deployment of the National Guard during the protests in Los Angeles is highly controversialImage: Eric Thayer/AP Photo/picture alliance
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Tensions remain high in Los Angeles, California, where thousands of people have been protesting federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. A curfew imposed by the city’s mayor on Tuesday night brought some calm, but there are no signs of de-escalation.
After deploying the National Guard, US President Donald Trump has now ordered the deployment of some 700 Marines — active-duty troops known for their rapid response and elite combat capabilities.
According to a spokeswoman for the United States Northern Command, US troops will help protect federal buildings and personnel, including ICE agents.
Since Friday, demonstrators have occupied the streets in Los Angeles, protesting ICE raids targeting individuals lacking proper immigration documentation. In some cases, masked ICE agents reportedly arrested people on the street. The crackdown reflects the Trump administration’s hardline stance on immigration — and now the military has been called in by the president to assist.
RPresidential powers and the Insurrection Act
Normally, the president cannot unilaterally deploy the National Guard within a US state; governors must authorize such deployments. California Governor Gavin Newsom has expressly rejected the need for the National Guard and has sued the Trump administration.
