Published 10/06/2025 15:34
On the fourth day of the protests against Trump’s immigration operations, Los Angeles dawned busy. 700 Marines arrived in the city, adding to the 4,000 National Guard soldiers already mobilized. The official objective would be to “protect federal properties”. According to Pentagon, the expected cost to 60 days of operation is $ 134 million.
The military climbing triggered a political war of national reach: in the CapitolDeputy Betty McCollum (Democrat/MN) attacked the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the hearing: “Marines on American soil is climbing dangerous and illegal!”
The arrival of the Marines Los Angeles occurred after a Sunday of violent clashes in Compton and Paramount, where police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. Local authorities denounced uncontrolled actions.
Fourth Day: military arrives and protests spread
In the early hours of Monday (9), President Donald Trump ordered the shipping of the Marines to Los Angeles, claiming the need to “restore order” after four days of clashes between anti-immigration protesters and federal forces. The measure marks the first time that regular army troops have been mobilized for internal operations since, even with the opposition of local governments.
The immigration actions of ICE (Immigration Police) in recent days have resulted in more than 150 prisons and the arrest of workers in clothing factories and stores like Home Depot in Paramount. With this, manifestations in solidarity with prisoners spread to San Francisco, Dallas, Austin and New Yorkwith hundreds of people demanding the end of mass deportations.
Em St. Francisa peaceful protest degenerated in clashes, resulting in 150 prisons On Sunday, after police use ammunition considered less lethal; Monday had a “bigger and calmer” protest, according to Mayor Daniel Lurie.
Em Nova Yorkthousands marched before the UN headquarters, requiring international organizations to condemn the deportations. Protesters sat peacefully at Trump Tower, headquarters of the president’s companies, which ended with 24 detainees.
Em AustinTexas’s least conservative city, college students blocked highways in support of families separated by ICE beats. Texan governor Greg Abbott announced arrests after confrontations: “Protesting is legal, but there are limits.”
Em Santa Ana (ca)federal agents used tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters.
While tanks patrol it, the migratory conflict became the New Front of the American Cultural War – with federal troops as political actors and democratic states waging legal battles. The fate of thousands of immigrants now depends on this power dispute.
The political opportunity
Democratic leaders intensified criticism of the president, classifying his actions as “attacks on state autonomy and human rights.”
Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom (CA) reacted to the unilateral decisions of Republican Donald Trump: “Flagrant abuse of power!” Newsom sued the federal government for ILLEGAL TAKE OF CALIFORNIAN NATIONAL GUARDpreparing other democratic governors to rebel. “Trump manufactures crises to justify authoritarianism. He doesn’t want to combat the crime. He wants to use California as a laboratory for his authoritarian agenda.”
Trump responded to his social truth network: “Without troops, there would have been obliterated,” and suggested arresting Newsom: “It must be perverted and empluable!”
California deputy Nancy Pelary said that “Trump is turning cities into war zones to mobilize his electoral base.”
The same happens with city halls that entered alert: Eric Adams (Mayor of NY) warned: “Violence as it will not be tolerated here,” after the arrests in front of the Trump Tower.
The city of Glendale broke agreements with Ice to house immigrant detainees, while local unions organized stoppages in support of prisoners.
Governors of New York and Illinois offered asylum to immigrants detained if Ice tries to deport them.
Union leader David Huerta, arrested in LA, became a symbol of the immigrant fight after paying $ 50,000 bail.
Turn to the City Hall of Los Angeles
The mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass accused, “Trump created chaos with migratory rifles.” With the militarization of the clashes spread across neighborhoods such as Little Tokyo Graffitis Ancients, Burned Car Run and looted stores.
Karen Bass transformed chaos into political capital. Its strategy starts from visits to Rusas places, as well as daily criticism of Trump and the defense of immigrants “terrified“With that, it got the twist after huge wear with forest fires (49% rejection). His anti -hedderal posture raised his popularity among Democrats. “Trump didn’t come here to protect anyone. He brought soldiers to make chaos and punish a Democratic State,” she argued.
“Bass became the defender of a besieged city. It’s her moment,” said political analyst Fernando Guerra.
Narrative War: Fake News and “Insurrection”
Trump labeled the protesters of “insurrectionists” – a term that allows to invoke the 1807 INSURRING ACT (Use of troops against civilians). Meanwhile, misinformation went viral: Fake photos With images of movies (“blue thunder”) and old protests (2020) were shared as “current scenes in LA”. Conspiracy theories spread that George Soros would be responsible for funding protests. Until Russia entered the play with pro-kremlin influencers amplifying narratives of “liberal conspiracy”.
Actor James Woods and Deputy Lauren Boebert (CO) led online campaigns against Newsom and immigrants.
The differentiated response to protests reveals the Trumpist political manual. When the Protests are leftin defense of immigration and racial rights, he qualifies as “invasion of criminals” invoking the “need for military strength.” But it refers to a “day of love” with “wronged patriots” right -wing protests as the violent invasion of the capitol in 2021.
The former advisor and ideologist of the far right Stephen Bannon celebrates Trump’s stance as the consolidation of a theme he won in 2024.
To international criticism
Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico He criticized the preferential target in families of Mexican (and Latinos, in general). “We ask for respect for due process of law,” he appealed after the arrest of Mexican citizens in arbitrary operations. “
On television, testimonials like Elizabeth Torres, 36, a resident of Los Angeles, proliferate: “My family came from Mexico for 30 years. Today, I feel that we have been treated as criminals for existing.”
The legacy of a manufactured crisis
Trump’s escalation in California reveals a political confrontation strategy that prioritizes National Security Rhetoric About real solutions:
- Abuse of power : The federalization of the National Guard and the use of regular troops violate constitutional precedents and generate questions about the separation of powers.
- Electoral impact : Although it may reinforce its conservative base, anti-immigration policy risks alienating independent voters concerned with institutional violence.
- Legal risks : ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and other groups started legal actions against ICE, alleging violations of free expression and due process.
The four days of conflict in Los Angeles are not an isolated episode, but part of a wider agenda of polarization and repression. By sending Marines to contain protests and expand deportations, Trump redefines the limits of federal power – and tests the resilience of democratic institutions. While governors and mayors resist, the battle for immigration rights becomes a symbolic field of war, where the future of American politics will be decided.
Source: vermelho.org.br
