The institutional crisis in the United States intensified on Sunday, 8, when the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, announced that Marines parked in Camp Pendleton, California, are on “maximum alert” and ready to act if protests in Los Angeles become more violent.
The measure follows the sending of 2,000 members of the National Guard to the city, by order of President Donald Trump, in response to protests against his three -day immigration policy. The information was released by Reuters agency.
Hegseth stated: “If violence persists, Marines may be mobilized at any time.” Shipping troops, however, generated strong criticism from California governor Gavin Newsom, who classified the action as illegal and said he will take legal action.
“These are acts of a dictator, not a president,” Newsom said in an interview with MSNBC, claiming that Trump “manufactured the crisis” to justify the use of force.
Protests and confrontations grow in Los Angeles
Los Angeles demonstrations gained strength after the intensification of mass deportation operations promoted by the Trump government. On Sunday, local police arrested at least 10 people and recorded clashes in different regions of the city.
On Saturday, 29 protesters were arrested. Voltage scenes were recorded, with surrounded vehicles, burned vehicles and clashes with the assembled police. Some blockages even interrupted highway 101, one of the main roads of Los Angeles.
The US command reported that the National Guard was sent to protect federal facilities and agents in service. About 300 soldiers have already been positioned at three strategic points of the city. Images released show soldiers, accompanied by agents from the internal security department in front of federal buildings. The mission does not include direct policing activities.
Legal and political tension
Trump justified the sending of the National Guard based on US Code Title 10, which authorizes the use of the federal force to contain rebellions or protect federal properties. However, the legislation also requires the orders for the use of the federal force to be approved by state governors, something that did not occur in this case.
Governor Newsom stated: “Trump’s decision is clearly a violation of state sovereignty” and said it will file a lawsuit to contest the mobilization of troops without state permission.
Meanwhile, the president intensified his rhetoric by classifying protesters as “violent insurrectionist gangs” and stating that his administration will take “all allowed measures” to contain the protests. In a comment on social networks, Trump said, “They spit, we hit.”
Scenario of International Conflicts and Reactions
The protests also involved acts of violence, with cars from Waymo, Alphabet’s company, being set on fire by protesters. Protestant groups shouted “Shame on You!” Towards the authorities, while Mexican flags were erected as a form of protest against government migratory policies.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the White House decision, stating: “I don’t want people to fall into chaos that believe they are being created by the administration, completely unnecessary.”
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum also condemned repression. “The migratory manifestations will not be resolved with violence and repression, but with reform and cooperation,” he said in a public discourse.
Risk of institutionalization of authoritarianism
Despite the severity of the situation, Trump has not yet invoked the insurrection law, which allows the use of the Armed Forces in the national territory in extreme cases of civil disorder. Asked about the possibility of doing so, the president answered only: “It depends on whether there is an insurrection or not.”
Meanwhile, the FBI offers a $ 50,000 reward for information about a suspect who fired stones at police vehicles, injuring a federal agent in Paramount, California.
The climate of instability grows as troops remain alert, and presidential rhetoric becomes more aggressive. The mobilization of military without the agreement of the state government and the threat of using the active military force within the national territory endangers the balance between federal and state powers. The situation rekindles fears about a possible advance of institutionalized authoritarianism in the United States.
With information from Reuters