Whitmer condemns Trump deploying National Guard amid ICE protests

BY ANNA LIZ NICHOLS, MICHIGAN ADVANCE

MICHIGAN—President Donald Trump deployed at least 300 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles Sunday amid anti immigration enforcement protests in a move that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other Democratic governors say is an abuse of power that puts residents and law enforcement in danger.

Sunday marked the third day of protests over the Trump administration’s deportation efforts and it was marked by several vehicles being set on fire, dozens of arrests and protestors throwing projectiles at law enforcement and law enforcement firing non-lethal foam and rubber bullets.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom did not request for the National Guard to be brought in. It’s been 60 years since a president bypassed getting cooperation from a state’s governor before deploying Guard troops in a state.

In a statement of condemnation of Trump’s move to mobilize California’s National Guard, Whitmer and 21 other Democratic governors on Sunday decried Trump’s actions as overreach and a decision that is not in the interest of public safety.

“It’s important we respect the executive authority of our country’s governors to manage their National Guards – and we stand with Governor Newsom who has made it clear that violence is unacceptable and that local authorities should be able to do their jobs without the chaos of this federal interference and intimidation,” the statement reads.

When asked for further comment. Whitmer’s office told Michigan Advance the statement was all the governor would be saying on the topic for now.

Trump noted on the campaign trail that his immigration crackdown would come down hard on deeply Democratic California.

Mass deportations in California have created chaos, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a news conference Sunday, according to the Hill. Bass urged protestors to remain peaceful and not give into the ‘Administration’s trap’.”

“When you raid Home Depots and workplaces, when you tear parents and children apart, and when you run armored caravans through our streets, you cause fear and panic,” Bass said. “The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real – it’s felt in our communities and within our families. It is clear that the Administration is pushing an agenda — there is clearly no plan other than chaos… We will rise above it.”

READ MORE: Dozens protest outside Detroit ICE field office against Los Angeles immigration raids

This coverage was republished from Michigan Advance pursuant to a Creative Commons license.