Introduction
On June 10, 2025, President Trump federalized the California National Guard, sending U.S. Marines to Los Angeles amid protests against his immigration policies. This militarization raises concerns over constitutional rights, federal overreach, and authoritarianism. The situation highlights the importance of upholding democratic principles and promoting civic engagement in the face of challenging governmental actions. This is not the first time that Trump has used combat ready federal police. He did it during his first term, and he’ll continue to militarize against us protesting.
Illegal Federalization of California National Guard
On June 10, 2025, President Donald Trump ordered the federalization of the California National Guard. He deployed 600 to 800 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to mass protests against his immigration and deportation policies. The expansion of immigration raids sparked these protests. Family detentions also fueled them. They show a growing public resistance to what many consider a cruel and racialized enforcement regime. The federal militarization of domestic protests raises more profound questions about constitutional rights. It prompts concerns about federal overreach. This act also highlights the creeping shadow of authoritarianism in American life.
A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump unlawfully federalized thousands of members of California’s National Guard. The judge ordered the president to return control of the troops to the state.
The ruling from senior US District Judge Charles Breyer is a significant win for Gov. Gavin Newsom. He sued Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this week. This occurred after the president called up the troops into federal service. The action was in response to protests in the Los Angeles area over Trump’s hardline immigration policies.
“His actions were illegal. They both exceeded the scope of his statutory authority and violated the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. He must return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of California immediately. The judge wrote this demand in his 36-page ruling.
Breyer is pausing his ruling until noon Friday.
The Justice Department has filed a notice of appeal. Trump still has control over the Guard.
The Right to Protest: A Core Democratic Principle
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right “to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Protest is not a side effect of democracy—it is democracy. Thousands of Americans take to the streets to oppose state violence or unjust laws. They engage in a civic tradition. This tradition dates back to the Boston Tea Party. It also includes abolitionist uprisings and the civil rights movement.
The Los Angeles protests are no different. They are an expression of a people who see government actions as harmful, discriminatory, or illegal. The right to protest must not be contingent upon political approval
Federal Troops on City Streets: Dangerous Precedent
The use of active-duty military in domestic policing situations is historically rare and constitutionally sensitive. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prohibits the use of the U.S. military in domestic law enforcement without specific Congressional authorization. Exceptions exist, for example under the Insurrection Act, but their use is meant to be cautious and limited.
Trump’s decision to bypass California’s civilian leadership is an alarming escalation. He activated the National Guard under federal command and called in the Marines. The governor of California opposed the militarization of the protests. The mayor of Los Angeles also opposed it. Yet, the federal orders superseded their authority. This is a clear federal override of local democratic governance.
Is This Authoritarianism or Fascism?
Political scientists often define fascism by key characteristics:
- Authoritarian control over dissent
- Militarization of civil society
- Nationalistic policies that target minority groups
- Suppression of media and judicial independence
Trump’s use of military force against domestic protesters, particularly those opposing his immigration policies, fits troublingly into this pattern. Federalizing state forces, criminalizing dissent, and presenting protest as a threat to national security are hallmarks of authoritarian governance.
Trump repeatedly labels protesters as “domestic enemies,” “leftist agitators,” or “illegal sympathizers.” This action dehumanizes political opposition in classic fascist style. These actions don’t merely stretch the limits of presidential power—they erode the democratic fabric of the United States.
California as Target: A Political Battlefield
California has long stood as a symbolic and legal counterweight to Trump’s America. From sanctuary laws to climate action and higher education protections, the state has repeatedly challenged Trump’s federal agenda. This latest confrontation—deploying troops against Californians—feels less about maintaining order and more like a political punishment.
The deeper danger is that such actions normalize military solutions to political disagreements. If the President can silence dissent through force in California, what precedent does that set? What impact would it have on the rest of the country?
The Way Forward: Reclaiming the Civic Space
Protesters in Los Angeles and around the country are not criminals—they are citizens, exercising their constitutional right to dissent. Trump’s military response must be condemned not only as overreach but as a step toward autocracy.
Democratic leaders must urgently act to reaffirm the primacy of civilian governance. Congress should investigate the legality of the deployment. Courts should challenge its constitutionality. And citizens must continue to organize, protest, and speak—because silence in the face of militarized repression is complicity.
1800 No King’s Day Protests
The fight unfolding in Los Angeles is not just about immigration—it’s about whether the United States remains a democracy. Trump’s actions are akin to those taken by authoritarian regimes in history. He uses federal force to quell protests. He silences opposition and labels critics as enemies of the state.
This moment can become a turning point or a precedent. Its outcome depends on how forcefully Americans respond. Will they protest, litigate, vote, and act with unwavering civic courage? Tomorrow, there will be more than 1800 ‘No King’s Day’ protests around the country as shown in the map below.
Further Reading:
- Posse Comitatus Act: Legal Summary The use of any part of the military branches as a posse comitatus is prohibited. This applies to the Army or Navy. This includes the Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force. This act entails penalties. They shall face penalties. This is prohibited except in cases expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress. Violators shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both.
- The Insurrection Act and Its Limits
- Historical Examples of Military Use in Civil Unrest
- ACLU Guide to Protest Rights
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