President Donald Trump’s recent actions have sparked significant controversy, particularly following his decision to dispatch the National Guard and later U.S. Marines into Los Angeles. This move was made despite strong objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who promptly took legal action against the president. Newsom argued that Trump’s unilateral decision to involve the military aimed to suppress protests against the government’s immigration policies.
Adding to the uproar, Trump held a rally at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he criticized former President Joe Biden, Governor Newsom, and other Democratic figures. The event saw uniformed soldiers cheering, prompting fears that Trump was utilizing the military to advance his political ambitions. This has amplified concerns about the president’s attempts to wield government institutions for personal political gains, with a planned military parade in Washington, D.C., casting an added shadow.
Scheduled to commemorate the Army’s 250th anniversary, the D.C. parade coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday. Trump warned that any protests against this event would be met with substantial force. Carrie Ann Lee, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, indicated that despite efforts to keep the parade non-political, many may interpret it as leveraging the military for political ends.
Trump has long desired a military parade since his initial term, although senior military officials were concerned it might resemble spectacles common in authoritarian nations like North Korea or Russia, rather than aligning with American values. Following his return to office, Trump dismissed the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and installed his own choice, while also replacing other senior military officials.
The military mobilization in Los Angeles, which followed protests against the administration’s immigration raids, marks the first time the National Guard has been deployed against a governor’s wishes since the Lyndon B. Johnson administration in 1965. The federal judiciary subsequently ruled that Trump’s actions were unlawful, mandating the Guard’s return to state control, though the decision has faced challenges in the appellate courts.
Experts express concern over the detrimental impact of these military exploits on the perception of the military as a nonpartisan entity. According to Lee, the military should not serve as a political apparatus. Trump, however, continues to apply similar tactics across federal entities, to manipulate institutions like the Federal Communications Commission against his critics, and direct the Department of Justice to investigate political opponents.
At a recent White House event, Trump trivialized protests against the parade orchestrated by the “No Kings” movement, asserting that governance requires overcoming significant hurdles. A poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC displayed a political divide over support for the parade, although many criticizes the substantial public expense.
Polling also suggests a partisan division regarding Trump’s authoritative measure; while majorities believe he has excessive power, a minority of Republicans share that sentiment. Trump and his supporters maintain that his administration upholds campaign promises by taking a tough stance on illegal immigration.
Kurt Weyland, from the University of Texas, points out that although Trump’s strategies are unprecedented, the nation’s systems of checks and balances have, to some extent, restrained his reach. Judicial oversight has been a critical factor, as seen again when U.S. District Court Judge Charles R. Breyer ruled that Trump overstepped legal boundaries in Los Angeles.
Former Syracuse University law school dean William Banks explained that deploying the military for domestic law enforcement is contrary to societal norms, posing risks to democratic integrity. As Trump faces scrutiny for his past attempts to challenge electoral outcomes and other controversial actions, experts stress the importance of continued commitment to democratic processes, notably in free and fair elections.
The episode highlights ongoing debates about the appropriate role of the military and executive authority in civilian governance, bringing into focus the foundational values of American democracy amidst the current political climate.