President Trump’s decision to deploy troops in Los Angeles comes just days before a significant military display in Washington, D.C., marking the Army’s 250th birthday celebration. This deployment has raised concerns among military officials and experts regarding the implications of such actions.
As tanks and armored vehicles arrive in the capital for the celebrations, National Guard troops from California’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, along with active-duty Marines, are being sent to the streets of Los Angeles. This juxtaposition has led to worries about the perception of the military's role in domestic affairs.
Experts, including former defense officials, have expressed that the simultaneous military parade and the federalization of the California National Guard may create an ominous atmosphere. Kori Schake, a former defense official, noted that the rapid escalation of military presence in Los Angeles is particularly concerning.
Max Rose, a former congressman and Army veteran, stated that the deployment contradicts requests from state and local authorities and likened the military display to those seen in authoritarian regimes. He emphasized that the military should symbolize national unity, not division.
It remains unclear under what legal grounds the Trump administration is deploying active-duty Marines to Los Angeles, as the Posse Comitatus Act generally restricts active-duty military involvement in domestic law enforcement. Trump cited Title 10 of the United States Code to justify the federalization of the National Guard troops.
During his first term, Trump sought to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy military troops against Black Lives Matter protesters but faced opposition from his defense secretary and military leadership. This led to tensions between Trump and the Pentagon, resulting in the dismissal of his defense secretary.
Following Trump’s recent order, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supported the deployment of National Guard troops and threatened to send active-duty Marines to assist. By Monday night, 700 Marines and 2,000 National Guard troops had been activated amid largely peaceful protests.
Hegseth defended the military presence, asserting the need to enforce immigration laws, while Democratic lawmakers criticized the escalation of military involvement in domestic protests. Representative Betty McCollum expressed concerns over the appropriateness of deploying active-duty military for law enforcement purposes.
Despite the Pentagon’s legal justification for the deployment, concerns persist regarding the potential impact on public perception of the military. Some officials believe the actions may serve as a show of force rather than a necessary response to the situation on the ground.
As discussions about the military parade and troop deployments continue, experts warn that the military’s involvement in political issues could damage its relationship with the American public. Veterans and advocacy groups have voiced their apprehensions about the implications of these actions for service members.