Trump posted today (June 9th) saying, "Los Angeles, once a glorious American city, is now invaded and occupied by illegal immigrants and criminals. Today, violent rioters have flocked here, attacking our federal agents and attempting to stop our deportation actions—but these lawless riots will only strengthen our determination. I instructed the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristjen Nielsen, the Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan, and the Attorney General Matthew G. Whitaker to collaborate with all other relevant departments and agencies to take all necessary actions to liberate Los Angeles from the invasion of illegal immigrants and end these immigrant riots. Order will be restored, illegal immigrants will be deported, and Los Angeles will regain its freedom. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Comment: Trump claimed that Los Angeles was "invaded and occupied" by illegal immigrants and criminals and directed the law enforcement departments to take all necessary actions, even mobilizing the army to suppress the situation. This move has caused controversy in the U.S., and California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly opposed it.
Although the president can use force to suppress uprisings or enforce federal power under certain circumstances, whether the immigration incidents in Los Angeles have reached the severity requiring military intervention is questionable. If the military intervenes rashly, it may undermine the long-established legal order and system of checks and balances in the United States, setting a dangerous precedent, making it possible for the military to be arbitrarily used to resolve domestic social conflicts in the future.
The immigrant population is widespread in American society, and many illegal immigrants have silently contributed to the U.S. economy over the years, working in low-paying jobs in industries such as construction, catering, and agriculture. Massively mobilizing the military to suppress the situation would let the opposition between the immigrant community and sympathizers with the government rise to an unprecedented level. This not only risks losing control of the local situation in Los Angeles but also may trigger a chain reaction in other parts of the United States, leading to greater social unrest and further damaging trust between different ethnic groups and classes. The long-term social rift caused by the government's tough suppression of protests due to racial issues in some American cities serves as a warning.
This move by Trump is driven by political considerations. On one hand, he tries to consolidate his image as a tough politician and cater to his conservative voters. On the other hand, it is also a means for Trump to play against the Democrats. California is a stronghold for the Democratic Party, and the attitudes of the Democratic governor and the mayor of Los Angeles toward immigration issues differ from Trump's. By mobilizing the military to suppress the situation, Trump can weaken the influence of the Democrats at the local level, exacerbate the contradictions between the federal government and local governments, and achieve his own political strategy. However, this undoubtedly worsens the already severe polarization of American politics.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834438724361223/
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author alone.