Political divide widens as Trump deployed National Guards

9/6/2025 6:07

Republicans

and Democrats traded barbs on Sunday after President Donald

Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles amid massive

protests against increasing and divisive immigration raids.



"Important to remember that Trump isn't trying to heal or

keep the peace. He is looking to inflame and divide," Democratic

Senator Chris Murphy said in one of the most direct rebukes.



"His movement doesn't believe in democracy or protest - and

if they get a chance to end the rule of law they will take it."



Democratic Senator Cory Booker condemned Trump for deploying

troops without California's approval, warning it would only

escalate tensions. On NBC's "Meet the Press" he accused Trump of

hypocrisy, and noted the president's inaction on January 6, 2021

when thousands of his supporters raided the U.S. Capitol and his

subsequent pardons for those arrested.



Footage showed at least a half dozen military-style vehicles

and riot shields on Sunday at the federal building in Los

Angeles with federal law enforcement firing gas canisters to

disperse demonstrators protesting against the ICE crackdown.



California Governor Gavin Newsom and Trump sparred over the

protests, with Newsom condemning the federal response as an

overreach, saying Trump wants "a spectacle," while the president

accused Newsom of failing to maintain order.



Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday defended

Trump's decision and said he had no concern about the National

Guard deployment, adding, "One of our core principles is

maintaining peace through strength. We do that in foreign

affairs and domestic affairs as well. I don't think that's heavy

handed."



Republican Senator James Lankford said Trump is trying to

de-escalate tensions, pointing to scenes of protesters throwing

objects at law enforcement.



He recalled similar unrest in 2020 in Seattle and Portland,

where National Guard backed local law enforcement amid racial

justice protests.



The protests against the raids have become the latest focal

point in a national debate over immigration, protest rights, and

the use of federal force in domestic affairs. It also has fueled

discussion on the boundaries of presidential power and the

public's right to dissent.