Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed that deploying 700 Marines to Los Angeles to support ICE operations will cost $134 million, a figure obtained from his acting comptroller under pressure from the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. This sum will be drawn from the department’s operations and maintenance budget, though the exact budgetary reallocations remain unclear. Hegseth justified the deployment by citing a need to ensure ICE agents’ safety while conducting operations and enforcing immigration law. The deployment’s cost and impact on other military training and duties were not fully addressed.
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Governor Newsom filed an emergency request with a federal court to prevent the Trump administration from utilizing National Guard and Marine troops in Los Angeles immigration raids, arguing that such action would exacerbate existing tensions. This follows President Trump’s deployment of approximately 4,700 troops in response to protests against intensified immigration enforcement. The federal government countered that Newsom’s request is unprecedented and would hinder their operations; a hearing is scheduled for Thursday. The governor contends that the troops’ involvement in raids, instead of solely protecting federal buildings, will escalate civil unrest. Local officials, including the police chief, oppose the military presence, asserting it hinders their ability to manage the protests effectively.
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Secretary Hegseth faced intense bipartisan criticism during his first House hearing, primarily concerning the deployment of troops to Los Angeles at a cost of $134 million, the firing of military leaders, and the elimination of diversity programs. Lawmakers expressed frustration over the lack of a detailed defense budget from the Trump administration, totaling a proposed $1 trillion, and questioned exorbitant spending on projects like a new Air Force One and a lavish Army birthday celebration. Hegseth defended the troop deployment, citing the need to protect federal agents, while also highlighting the Pentagon’s focus on adapting to new drone warfare threats following a recent Ukrainian attack. Further scrutiny surrounded his social policy changes within the Pentagon, including the removal of transgender service members and the renaming of a Navy ship previously honoring Harvey Milk.
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Following a weekend of protests against ICE raids and National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, President Trump escalated tensions with violent rhetoric on social media, threatening protesters with harsh repercussions and labeling them “insurrectionists.” He further endorsed the arrest of California Governor Gavin Newsom, despite a lack of legal basis, highlighting a disregard for legal processes. This aggressive stance, echoing previous inflammatory statements, showcases the President’s increasing embrace of authoritarian tactics. The President’s actions, including the deployment of the National Guard under questionable circumstances, demonstrate a willingness to disregard legal constraints and potentially incite further unrest.
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Governor Gavin Newsom accused President Trump of lying about a phone conversation concerning the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles. Newsom stated that Trump, during their Friday night conversation, failed to mention the deployment despite later publicly claiming otherwise. This action, deemed unlawful by Newsom and Mayor Bass, followed immigration raids and escalated tensions in the city. Newsom announced an impending lawsuit against the Trump administration for this unauthorized intervention, characterizing the president’s actions as inflammatory and a breach of state sovereignty.
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In a recent MSNBC interview, ICE’s Tom Homan confirmed that recent ICE arrests in Los Angeles included individuals without criminal records, clarifying that his agency prioritizes public safety threats but intends to forcefully enforce all immigration laws. Homan’s statement sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many condemning the actions as authoritarian and unconstitutional. These arrests, coupled with the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, fueled further protests against ICE operations in the city. The situation highlights a growing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local opposition.
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Retired Major General Randy Manner criticized President Trump’s federal deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles, arguing it undermines states’ rights and freedom of speech. He asserted that California Governor Newsom possesses sufficient law enforcement resources and the authority to handle the situation. Manner highlighted the inappropriateness of using the National Guard in this context, emphasizing that governors should manage their states’ internal affairs. This action, while currently legal, is viewed as an overreach of federal power.
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President Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles, overriding Governor Newsom’s objections, in response to anti-ICE protests. This action, condemned by both Newsom and Mayor Bass as inflammatory and escalatory, saw troops stationed near a federal complex where undocumented immigrants were being detained by masked federal agents. The deployment, the first of its kind in decades without gubernatorial consent, followed several days of controversial ICE raids resulting in injuries and arrests of protesters, including a union leader. The situation is characterized by accusations of excessive force, illegal detentions, and the deliberate provocation of unrest.
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Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles, ostensibly to quell unrest related to immigration enforcement, feels less like a measured response and more like a chilling dress rehearsal for authoritarian rule. This isn’t about effective policing; it’s about a calculated show of force intended to intimidate and control. The sheer scale of the military presence, far exceeding what a local law enforcement agency would require, screams of an underlying agenda beyond managing a potential protest.
This heavy-handed approach isn’t some unexpected escalation. For years, many have warned about the potential for Trump to exploit power for his own ends, culminating in precisely this kind of overreach.… Continue reading
Dr. Phil McGraw, accompanied by his film crew, embedded with ICE agents during immigration raids in Los Angeles, capturing footage for a Merit TV special. These raids resulted in numerous detentions and subsequent protests, escalating to the deployment of the National Guard. Trump administration officials, including Tom Homan and Dan Bongino, actively publicized the events through social media, maximizing media attention. Trump himself amplified the situation, using inflammatory rhetoric and claiming Los Angeles was “invaded,” further fueling the controversy.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood