Cory Booker condemns Trump for deploying National Guard to Los Angeles

In the United States, serious protests erupted in Los Angeles in June 2025 against the Trump administration's immigration policies. These protests, largely driven by opposition to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the actions of protesters and described them as unacceptable, noting the presence of 'anarchists' aiming to escalate the situation. The protests were fueled by widespread anger regarding Trump's immigration raids, which critics argued were sowing chaos and confusion in communities, leading to increased tensions and violence. In response to the ongoing unrest, President Donald Trump federalized the California National Guard, deploying 2,000 troops to assist local law enforcement. This decision was met with immediate backlash from both state officials and local leaders, including Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. They argued that Trump's actions were not only unnecessary but also a deliberate ploy to create a spectacle. Meanwhile, they emphasized that local law enforcement had sufficient resources to manage the protests without federal intervention. Senator Cory Booker weighed in on the situation during an appearance on 'Meet the Press' where he criticized Trump for attempting to incite violence by sending the National Guard to what he termed 'peaceful protests.' Booker argued that Trump's actions represented a break from historical precedent and exacerbated an already tense situation. He decried the hypocrisy of a president who called for responsive law enforcement while having previously pardoned individuals involved in violent acts against the police during the January 6 Capitol riots. Booker contended that the protests were a reaction to the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement, which included the arrest of individuals attempting to comply with their legal obligations. As tensions heightened, demonstrators were reported to have engaged in various forms of civil disobedience, including blocking ICE vehicles and confronting federal agents. The protests featured intense scenes, as rioters set fires and hurled rocks at law enforcement. Trump's administration defended its crackdown on immigration as necessary for national security, even as state officials alleged that the president was using the situation to distract from his own political troubles. The violence witnessed in Los Angeles is indicative of the broader divides within American society over immigration policy, law enforcement, and social justice. Ultimately, the deployment of the National Guard aims to restore order amidst this chaos, but both critics and supporters of the administration remain deeply divided on the implications of such military involvement. The standoff in Los Angeles reflects an ongoing national debate about immigration policy and the role of federal versus local governance in managing civil order.