1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing today to express my outrage and deep concern over the events that unfolded in Los Angeles during the weekend of June 7–8, 2025, involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), federal law enforcement, and the National Guard. What took place was a gross abuse of power and a disturbing overreach by the federal government. What happened: • Over that weekend, ICE carried out sweeping immigration raids across the Los Angeles area, detaining more than 100 individuals. These arrests sparked widespread public response, as communities rallied in peaceful protest against what many saw as unjust, fear-driven tactics. • Thousands of peaceful demonstrators gathered across the city—including on the 101 freeway—to demand humane treatment for immigrants and decry the use of militarized force in our neighborhoods. • Law enforcement responded with excessive force, deploying tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbang grenades. It is important to underscore that the protests were peaceful, and the limited property damage—including self-driving vehicles that caught fire—was a direct result of flashbangs used by police, not actions taken by demonstrators. • Despite the peaceful nature of the protests, President Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops into Los Angeles without the consent of Governor Newsom—an egregious and historically rare federal intrusion into state governance. Why I’m concerned: 1. Federal overreach: Deploying military personnel against civilians—without the invitation or consent of state leadership—violates constitutional norms and the foundational principles of our democracy. 2. Militarization of peaceful protest: The choice to meet peaceful assembly with military force and aggressive policing tactics escalated tensions and endangered lives. 3. Erosion of civil liberties: This response sets a chilling precedent that peaceful dissent can be met with military occupation, infringing on First Amendment rights and eroding public trust. What I urge you to do: • Publicly condemn this abuse of power and the unlawful deployment of the National Guard. • Support legislation that strengthens protections against unauthorized federal military deployments in domestic matters, reinforcing the requirement for state consent. • Demand oversight: Launch or support a Congressional investigation into the use of force in Los Angeles and the legal justification for the National Guard’s presence. • Defend civil rights: Advocate for reforms that ensure peaceful protest is protected and never mistaken for violence by those in power. These events were not just an overstep—they were an affront to our values as a democratic nation. I urge you to act boldly and swiftly to protect civil liberties, check executive power, and stand with those peacefully calling for justice. Thank you for your time and your commitment to upholding our democratic principles.