1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The President and his toady administration are escalating responses to the protests in Los Angeles in order to create an excuse for excessive use of force by deploying 2,000 National Guard troops and now 700 Marines. This is an alarming and unconscionable authoritarian overreach by the President and his regime. This disproportionate military response to largely peaceful protests risks further inflaming tensions and eroding civil liberties that are fundamental to American democracy. The President's false characterization of protesters as "insurrectionists" and "paid troublemakers" is a dangerous attempt to delegitimize lawful dissent and justify oppressive tactics reminiscent of a police state. This is the hallmark of dictatorships and an unacceptable transgression in a democratic society governed by the rule of law. These protests, regardless of one's view of them, in no way constitute an armed insurrection or present a threat to national security. They represent the exercise of constitutional rights that must be safeguarded, not suppressed, through martial force. The governor and mayors have made it clear that federal intervention is unwanted and unnecessary, as local law enforcement has the situation under control. Activating a state's National Guard without the governor's request for the first time in 50 years is a violation of state sovereignty. Specific incidents, like ICE agents shooting tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and less-lethal rounds at protesters in Paramount, demonstrate an unacceptable willingness to use military force against civilians exercising their protected First Amendment rights. Arresting union leaders like David Huerta for protesting further chills free speech. The excessive militarization risks a catastrophic escalation of violence in a major American city against our own citizens unjustly targeted by draconian immigration crackdowns. I strongly urge Congress to intervene and curtail this reckless overreach to prevent further civil rights violations and uphold democratic principles. Forcefully check—and balance—this regime's authoritarian abuses of power immediately! Thank you, sincerely.