1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

The deployment of the national guard in Los Angeles to quell immigration protests is an unprecedented overreach of federal authority that undermines state sovereignty. The governor did not request this intervention, and local law enforcement was capable of handling the situation without inflaming tensions further. Bypassing the proper channels and sidelining law enforcement expertise is an unnecessary and inflammatory escalation that has only served to spur more unrest. This unilateral action by the Trump administration tramples on California's rights and sets a dangerous precedent of the federal government encroaching on states' powers in the absence of an actual rebellion or inability to enforce laws. Such a drastic step should not be taken lightly or for political theatrics. I urge you to take action to rein in this unlawful overreach and reassert the state's authority over its own national guard in the absence of a legitimate insurrection or request for federal aid.