By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass criticized the federal deployment of National Guard troops, stating that most were underutilized and spent their time “playing video games”. Approximately 4,000 guardsmen were deployed by President Trump in response to protests against immigration enforcement, though Bass claimed only a small fraction were actually utilized. The Mayor has called the deployment a political stunt and a misuse of taxpayer dollars, with half of the troops recently released but many still present. Legal challenges to the deployment’s legality, due to exceeding presidential authority, are still ongoing.
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National Guards in LA spent most of their time “playing video games”—Bass. The central takeaway here, and the one that resonates most strongly, is that National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles found themselves with a significant amount of downtime, a fact highlighted by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. She specifically pointed out that the majority of these soldiers were essentially left with little to do beyond, as the saying goes, playing video games. This scenario arose from the deployment of around 4,000 guardsmen by President Donald Trump to the city, purportedly in response to protests related to immigration enforcement. However, according to Mayor Bass, a vast majority of the troops were not actually utilized, resulting in widespread boredom and an apparent lack of purpose.
National Guards in LA spent most of their time “playing video games”—Bass. The situation brings into focus the question of efficient use of resources. Many commenters quickly pointed out the apparent waste of taxpayer money. The sentiment is that it’s better than the alternative, which involved potential harm to immigrants. But still, it seems like a less than ideal outcome. It raises a fundamental question: if the guardsmen weren’t needed, why were they deployed in the first place? And, what could they have been doing instead?
National Guards in LA spent most of their time “playing video games”—Bass. Some of the comments highlighted the potential for the guardsmen to be used in other capacities. One suggestion was that they could have assisted with wildfire prevention. Another mentioned that they could have helped with local infrastructure projects or volunteered in the community. The fact that the administration’s priorities were not exactly in alignment with the needs of the people is a concern. The idea that the guardsmen were idle is an easy target for criticism.
National Guards in LA spent most of their time “playing video games”—Bass. In contrast, many people were actually quite positive about the Guardsmen playing video games. This approach is understandable when considering the alternative. Some felt this was the most productive thing they could have been doing, especially considering the potential for violence. There is an acknowledgement that if there was truly nothing to do, then the guardsmen would pass the time however they could. This, of course, included playing video games.
National Guards in LA spent most of their time “playing video games”—Bass. It is clear that the whole scenario was perceived as an inefficient use of resources and a demonstration of performative politics. Critics also noted the potential for the deployment to be interpreted as a heavy-handed, authoritarian tactic. The suggestion is that it had the effect of intimidating the local population. But most seem to agree that playing video games is much preferable to being involved in actions that would do harm to citizens.
National Guards in LA spent most of their time “playing video games”—Bass. On a lighter note, some of the comments bring a touch of humor to the situation. There’s a recognition that boredom is a common occurrence. The comments also highlighted the absurdity of the situation. The emphasis is placed on the reality that the guardsmen were deployed with no clear mission or specific directives.
National Guards in LA spent most of their time “playing video games”—Bass. The discussion highlights the importance of accountability. The deployment, if not necessary, was a poor use of taxpayer dollars. It’s a reminder that there should be clear justification and objectives for any deployment of military or guard resources. The issue is not simply about the guardsmen playing video games, but about the lack of thoughtful planning and the potential for wasted resources.
National Guards in LA spent most of their time “playing video games”—Bass. Ultimately, the incident brings into stark relief the issue of the purpose and effectiveness of deploying the National Guard. The consensus seems to be that while the guardsmen weren’t engaged in their intended purpose, at least they were not used in a way that would cause harm. The case highlights the importance of careful planning, clear objectives, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars in any deployment of the National Guard.