Trump's LA Troop Deployment Is This the End of a Non-Political Military?

Trump LA Protest Response Risks Turning US Military into Political Force, Veterans Warn

The deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles by the Trump administration, in response to civilian protests and against the wishes of the Californian governor, has sparked considerable controversy and ignited fears of the increasing politicization of the US military. Armed service veterans are voicing serious concerns about the implications of this action.

Former top military figures have expressed to the Guardian that placing up to **2,000 troops under federal control** and deploying them onto the streets of LA constitutes a violation of the military's long-standing commitment to staying out of domestic politics, except in the most extraordinary circumstances. The last instance of a US president federalizing the National Guard against a governor's will dates back to **1965**, when Lyndon Johnson deployed them to protect civil rights marchers in Alabama.

"This is the politicization of the armed forces," stated Maj Gen Paul Eaton. "It casts the military in a terrible light – it’s that man on horseback, who really doesn’t want to be there, out in front of American citizens."

Eaton, who commanded the training of Iraqi troops during the invasion of Iraq, anticipates that the LA deployment could lead to the invocation of the Insurrection Act. This 1807 law grants the president the authority to deploy the full US military to quell insurrection or armed rebellion.

"We are headed towards the invocation of the Insurrection Act, which will provide a legal basis for inappropriate activity," he warned.

Key points to consider regarding the situation:

• The protests in LA, largely peaceful, are a response to Trump’s deportation policies and are now in their fourth day.
• National Guard troops arrived in the city on Sunday, authorized to protect federal personnel and buildings, but not to engage in law enforcement.
• The deployment occurred despite the Governor's opposition, raising questions of political motivation.

A retired senior US army officer, speaking anonymously to preserve their non-partisanship, stated, "This deployment was made counter to what the governor wanted, so it seems like a political forcing – a forced use of the military by Trump because he can."

Trump's memo federalizing the National Guard suggests a broad, nationwide mobilization. It indicates that regular military troops, as well as National Guard forces, can be used by the defense secretary to protect federal functions anywhere in the country where protests occur.

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the memo is its pre-emptive nature, authorizing military deployment against *anticipated* protests, a move unprecedented in the US. It states that troops can be sent to "locations where protest against [federal] functions are occurring, or are likely to occur based on current threat assessments."

On Sunday, Trump hinted that the LA deployment was just the beginning. "We’re gonna have troops everywhere," he declared.

Janessa Goldbeck, a Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Vet Voice Foundation, argues that the executive order is an invitation to mobilize troops across the country. "That’s a massive escalation across the country."

Geoffrey DeWeese, a former US army judge advocate, voiced concerns about the National Guard's role in LA, particularly their potential to accompany ICE agents in immigration raids. This raises questions about distinguishing between the two forces and the message it sends to civilians.

Concerns are also amplified by Trump’s past actions, which have already suggested a politicization of the armed services, including the firing of key military figures without clear justification.

Retired lieutenant general Jeffrey Buchanan warned that these actions risk creating a perception of "Trump's generals" versus "Biden's generals," eroding public confidence in the military's impartiality.

The upcoming military parade in Washington DC, scheduled for June 14, coinciding with Trump's birthday, has also drawn criticism. Critics see it as a self-aggrandizing event that further blurs the lines between the military and political leadership.

Goldbeck concluded, "This is all in line with how Trump views the military as a tool at his personal disposal, not as a professional fighting force made up of men and women whose oath is to the constitution."

The unfolding situation raises serious questions about the future of the US military and its role in American society. Maintaining the military's non-partisan stance and its unwavering commitment to the Constitution is crucial for preserving public trust and ensuring the stability of the nation. The current administration's actions demand careful scrutiny and a renewed commitment to safeguarding the principles that have long defined the US military's integrity.

Tags: Trump, National Guard, Los Angeles, Protests, US military, Politicization, Veterans, Federal control, Civil rights, Paul Eaton, Insurrection Act, Janessa Goldbeck, Vet Voice Foundation, Geoffrey DeWeese

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/09/veterans-trump-national-guard-la-protests