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Fact check: Is trump using la protests to test executive power
Checked on June 11, 2025
1. Summary of the results
The evidence strongly suggests that Trump is indeed testing executive power through his response to LA protests. This is demonstrated through several unprecedented actions:
- Deployment of 2,700 troops (700 Marines and 2,000 National Guard) to Los Angeles without Governor Newsom's consent [1]
- First deployment of National Guard troops without governor's request since 1965 [2]
- Usage of an obscure statute regarding "rebellion" to justify the deployment [2]
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
Several crucial contextual elements are missing from the original question:
*Political Environment:
- The protests are specifically related to immigration raids, not general civil unrest [3]
- There's significant social media manipulation occurring, with hyperpartisan accounts potentially exaggerating the unrest to justify executive action [4]
- Local authorities, including LA Mayor Karen Bass, stated there was "absolutely no need" for federal intervention [5]
Legal Context:
- Legal experts like Harold Koh view this as using emergency claims to trigger "extraordinary powers" [5]
- The action challenges constitutional norms around military intervention in domestic protests [6]
**3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement**
The original question oversimplifies a complex situation where multiple parties have vested interests:
Who benefits from this narrative:
- Trump administration benefits by appearing tough on immigration and protest [7]
- Stephen Bannon described the response as "quite smart," suggesting it serves as a deliberate political strategy [7]
- Historian Peter Kastor notes this represents Trump being "unleashed from conventional parameters on his power" [5]
Broader implications:*
Want to dive deeper?
What executive powers can presidents use during civil unrest and protests?
How have previous presidents responded to large-scale protests in major cities?
What are the legal limits on presidential authority during domestic demonstrations?
How does the Insurrection Act relate to presidential power during protests?
What role does federal law enforcement play in local protest situations?