[Text/Observer Network, Xiong Chaoyi] In recent days, the Los Angeles riots triggered by illegal immigrant issues have escalated further, and a large number of National Guard soldiers and Marine Corps members have also been deployed there.
According to The Wall Street Journal's local report on June 10, one day after "mobilizing" about 700 Marines into Los Angeles, US President Trump appeared at the Fort Bragg base (the largest US Army base) in North Carolina on the same day and delivered a politically charged speech in front of a group of American Army soldiers in uniform - he criticized demonstrators protesting immigration enforcement policies as "thugs" and "professional agitators," while the audience of soldiers responded with cheers and applause.
The report said that the content of Trump's speech was originally intended to pay tribute to the military on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the US Army, but he diverted the topic to recent protest activities.
"What you see in California is a full-scale attack on peace, public order, and national sovereignty. These rioters wave foreign flags, attempting to continue allowing foreign invasions of our country. We will not allow this to happen," he continued. "We will not allow federal agents to be attacked, nor will we allow an American city to be invaded and conquered by foreign enemies. That is what they are (enemies)." He even defined the protesters this way: "These people are professionals; they are not amateur rioters."
On June 10 local time, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, US President Trump made a speech. Visual China
According to reports, during his speech on that day, Trump stated that he decided to deploy thousands of National Guard troops and Marine Corps members to protect law enforcement agencies from attacks by what he called "evil violent thugs and some radical leftists."
"Generation after generation of military heroes bled on distant battlefields, not to watch our nation being invaded and destroyed by chaos like the one in California now. As the commander-in-chief, I will not let this happen," Trump said.
Earlier that day, Trump also warned that if protesters appear at the parade commemorating the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the US Army in Washington DC on June 14, these people "will also face very severe forceful strikes."
The Wall Street Journal reported that when Trump spoke, a large number of Army soldiers gathered behind him, showing their agreement with his speech. Although the US Department of Defense emphasizes the non-political nature of the military and does not approve of such behavior by the military, the soldiers present that day still booed at the media, California Governor Newsom, transgender athletes, and former President Biden.
"All members of the armed forces should avoid any actions that may be interpreted as support, endorsement, or approval of partisan political activities by the Department of Defense," Pentagon's advice states. A female spokesperson for Fort Bragg said that the troops standing behind Trump were told not to show any signs of protest or political inclination during the president's speech.
On June 10 local time, at Fort Bragg, the US Army base, US President Trump arrived and made a speech, with Army soldiers watching nearby. Visual China
After retaking office, Trump promised to deport a record number of illegal immigrants and block the US-Mexico border, setting a daily goal for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest at least 3,000 illegal immigrants. Starting June 6, ICE and other agencies took a tough stance on raids against illegal immigrants, leading to continuous protests and escalating tensions in Los Angeles, California.
Currently, this protest movement continues and has spread to several other cities across the United States. The Los Angeles Police Department stated that over 100 people had been arrested during the protests that lasted until the early hours of June 10 local time, with the vast majority charged with "refusal to disperse."
On June 7, White House Press Secretary Letvit issued a statement saying that Trump had signed a memo to deploy 2,000 National Guard personnel to Los Angeles. Trump's move drew strong opposition from California Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Bass.
The US Northern Command announced on June 9 that approximately 700 Marines had been "mobilized." They will work with about 2,100 National Guard troops to assist in protecting federal personnel and property in the Los Angeles area. The last time the government invoked the Insurrection Act to mobilize active-duty troops to quell domestic unrest was 33 years ago, in 1992.
On the evening of June 8 local time, California Governor Newsom announced that he would sue Trump for deploying the California National Guard without consulting the governor, and angrily denounced Trump as a "complete liar."
"The confrontation by the federal government, through the deployment of troops on the streets, has caused real and irreparable damage to the City of Los Angeles, its residents, and the State of California. They must stop immediately," California stated in a court filing. It is understood that the hearing is scheduled for June 12 local time.
On June 10 local time, in Los Angeles, California, anti-deportation immigration riots continue, with California National Guard members stationed outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building. Visual China
On June 10 local time, US Defense Secretary Heger Sais defended Trump's deployment action at a congressional appropriations committee hearing, insisting that the protesters were "thugs, looters, and criminals" endangering the safety of federal agents.
Bryn MacDonnell, the acting comptroller of the Pentagon who attended the hearing with Heger Sais, revealed that this military deployment operation would cost the US Department of Defense at least $134 million in additional expenditures for troop allowances, supplies, transportation, and other logistics.
It was reported that as of June 10 local time in the afternoon, the California National Guard still remained in downtown Los Angeles. Outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, soldiers held riot shields to form a cordon. It is known that this detention center previously held David Huerta, the leader of California's largest union, who was released on September 9.
The Wall Street Journal pointed out that although US officials claim that the actions of the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles will be limited, the broadness of this order still raises concerns - it may lay the groundwork for future military actions against protesters in other parts of the United States.
Los Angeles Mayor Bass said at a press conference on June 10 local time: "I feel that we are all participating in a grand experiment in Los Angeles to see what happens when the federal government decides to take over a state or a city."
This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514482672312402484/
Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's views. You can express your opinions by using the "like/dislike" buttons below.