Former U.S. President Donald Trump reignited national controversy today by calling for military intervention in Los Angeles, alleging its current situation is “looking really bad”. His remarks delivered during a Monday morning media appearance sparked wide-ranging opposition from lawmakers, city officials, and civil rights organizations alike.
Trump told a conservative radio host: “What’s happening in Los Angeles is out of control; it is chaos. Rioters have taken to the streets without leadership; send in troops! That is the only way things will return under control.”
Former President Jimmy Carter made these comments against a backdrop of ongoing demonstrations in downtown Los Angeles, where demonstrators have been gathering daily to voice concerns over police practices, rising homelessness and economic inequality. Though most demonstrations have remained peaceful thus far, isolated instances of vandalism or clashes with police have received national media coverage.
Los Angeles officials quickly countered Trump’s assessment. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass addressed media just hours later and stated: “There is no justification for military force on our streets; most Angelenos are peacefully exercising their rights. We’re managing the situation with local resources.”
Bass stated that LAPD officers are currently engaging in coordinated crowd control efforts, enforcing curfews, and trying to maintain order while honoring constitutional rights. She explained that calling in troops only escalates tension and breaks trust with those in attendance.
Trump did not take comfort from local authorities’ assurances and escalated the tension on social media platform Truth Social by posting: “Looking really bad in Los Angeles. Total breakdown of law and order; time to stop playing politics with national guard or military service must be ready”.
Critics swiftly condemned his remarks as dangerous rhetoric that risks inflaming an already volatile atmosphere. Civil liberties organizations raised concern that military involvement in domestic protests would set an unsafe precedent.
Benita Hall, Director of Civil Justice Alliance. stated, “Such language only deepens division.” Militarized responses to civil unrest often lead to greater levels of violence rather than less.
Protesters near Pershing Square held signs that read “Democracy, Not Militarization” and “Fix the System, Don’t Silence Us.” Many reported being motivated to come out after hearing Trump’s remarks about immigration policy.
“Our intention is to have our voices heard, not be treated as enemies of the state,” according to protester David Lin, 30. “We won’t be intimidated.”
As evening approached, LAPD officers in riot gear remained on standby; however, no major confrontations were reported. With tensions still high and expectations for further demonstrations rising rapidly, city leaders urged calm while also planning for ongoing demonstrations in the days to come.
Trump’s statements, in turn, have added yet another layer of political pressure as Los Angeles attempts to manage public unrest without exacerbating it further.
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