The Los Angeles Protests: Immigration, Violence, and a Power Struggle

The protests in Los Angeles against the Trump administration’s efforts to deport "illegal" immigrants have become the top item on America’s political agenda. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in California sparked wider demonstrations and outbreaks of violence that quickly escalated beyond small, local protests. In addition to being home to a large Hispanic population, California is a Democratic stronghold with cities like Los Angeles that are known as “sanctuary cities” for undocumented immigrants. The Trump administration’s decision to send in the National Guard—and later, the Marines—claiming local law enforcement couldn’t manage the protests, has been criticized as pouring fuel on the fire. Trump’s inability to swiftly carry out his campaign promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants—due to budget constraints and a lack of political support—has further fueled tensions.

Trump claims the protests amount to an insurrection and has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a move that would expand federal authority in the name of fighting illegal immigration. This type of pressure, seen as an attempt to intimidate Democratic states and local governments, risks triggering a constitutional crisis over the limits of federal versus state power. It’s clear that Trump intends to escalate political tensions by portraying himself as battling lawless Democratic states, but he has so far refrained from invoking the Insurrection Act—perhaps to avoid a situation spinning completely out of control. Still, by sending around 700 Marines to California to protect federal law enforcement and buildings, Trump is flexing his muscles and signaling he’s not afraid to take that drastic step.

The narrative that the immigrant crisis—one of the most decisive issues in Trump’s electoral success—has been exacerbated by Democrats willing to tolerate violence plays right into his hands. Trump, who saw political gains from his hardline anti-immigration rhetoric in both of his presidential campaigns, continues to push the message that the country is under “invasion.” During Biden’s presidency, the failure to secure the border and the entry of around 10 million immigrants may have handed the election to Trump. Having promised to deport millions, Trump has already included the necessary funds in his proposed budget. Following the clashes in Los Angeles, Republicans are expected to rally more easily around the proposed deportation budget, which passed the House of Representatives but faces a tougher battle in the Senate.

Another of Trump’s political targets is California Governor Gavin Newsom, one of the Democrats’ potential presidential contenders. Trump accuses Democrats of defending “illegal” immigration and wreaking havoc on American cities. Newsom has harshly criticized Trump, blamed the federal government for the escalation of the violence, and filed lawsuits against it—all efforts seen as part of his attempt to position himself as a liberal hero. In response to Trump’s threats of arrest, Newsom has fired back with comments along the lines of “go ahead and try.” With footage of the clashes spreading, Trump has found it all too easy to paint Newsom as an ultra-liberal who protects illegal immigrants and can’t maintain order. Likely viewing Newsom as an easy target, Trump not only seeks to corner Democrats but also to break potential state-level resistance to federal deportation efforts by turning up the heat.

Should Trump invoke the rarely used Insurrection Act, the crisis could quickly spiral out of control. Laws such as the Posse Comitatus Act, which clearly restricts the use of the military in domestic law enforcement except in exceptional circumstances, pose legal barriers. Some of Trump’s earlier actions, taken under the claim that the country was “under invasion” by undocumented immigrants, were already struck down by the courts. If the Insurrection Act were enforced, troops would be required to use force against civilians—raising constitutional questions about whether they are being asked to carry out unlawful orders. Such a situation would likely involve both federal courts and the Supreme Court, as it would pit federal and state sovereignty against each other. While Trump has floated the word “insurrection,” the fact that he hasn’t taken concrete steps yet suggests his political calculations are still the main driver for now.

While trying to secure budgetary and political support for mass deportations, the Trump administration is also making it harder for foreigners to enter the country legally. By complicating the visa process for international students—especially targeting Chinese students—and releasing a new travel ban list mainly affecting Muslim-majority countries, the administration continues to signal that the U.S. is no longer welcoming to outsiders. The inability to secure the border during the Biden era was perhaps the Democrats’ greatest failing—and may well be the key factor that brought Trump back to power. Capitalizing on that, Trump isn’t just focusing his political capital on fighting “illegal” immigration but is also tightening legal immigration to send the message that the country must preserve its white majority.

The Trump administration’s nativist immigration policy, aimed at slowing and ideally reversing the country’s demographic browning, may gain more support in light of the violence in Los Angeles. But if the situation becomes unmanageable, it could also weaken Trump’s standing. A deepening constitutional and jurisdictional crisis between the federal government and California could even provoke backlash from Republicans who care deeply about states’ rights. If Trump succeeds in passing the budget through Congress, he may lower tensions and shift to working with cooperative local governments—but he will still try to portray Democrats as aligned with lawlessness and “illegal” immigration. For Democrats, it’s not enough to challenge Trump rhetorically, as Newsom has done; they must convince the American public that they, too, are committed to law and order. If not, Trump will continue to play the immigration card—one of his most potent political tools—with masterful precision.