Trump Deploys Military to Suppress Immigration Crackdown Protests...In Search of the 'Enemy Within'

As protests against crackdowns and deportations of undocumented immigrants continued in the Los Angeles (LA) area, President Donald Trump deployed the California National Guard to suppress large-scale demonstrations. Observers suggest that Trump's use of the military for protest suppression carries complex political calculations.

According to The Associated Press (AP), CNN, and others on the 8th (local time), authorities began deploying 300 National Guard troops that morning in three major LA areas.

However, there are local claims that the protests were neither intense enough nor public order unstable enough to warrant the use of the military. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) stated the protests were mostly peaceful. Local authorities also explained they had the capacity to respond to any escalation of demonstrations themselves.

It is the first time in 60 years since the measure to protect civil rights demonstrators in 1965 that a U.S. president has mobilized the National Guard without a governor's request.

Thus, as the justification for this decision is ambiguous and highly unusual, critics believe it is a political maneuver. Contributing factors include a breakup with political ally Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, and a desire to tighten his support base in response to radical and controversial policies.

While running for president, Trump vowed not to tolerate street protests by left-wing groups and would utilize presidential authority to the fullest. In an interview with Fox News last October, he also said, "We have two enemies," and added, "The enemy within is more dangerous than countries like China or Russia."

The BBC pointed out that this measure will please Trump's core supporters, while those without party affiliation may be shaken by public safety concerns.

On the other hand, The Guardian noted that Trump, who is skilled at distracting with far-right media, has found an 'enemy within' to incite hatred, anger, and fear.

Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) wrote on the social media platform X, "It's important to remember that Trump isn't seeking to heal or keep the peace," adding, "He is trying to escalate and sow division."

Shin Yong-hyun, a Hankyung.com reporter yonghyun@hankyung.com