President Trump's Saturday night "memorandum" federalizing 2000 California National Guard troops is a tentative step toward abusing authorities for domestic use of the military, but a dangerous one.
“Stay safe out there” has added meaning in this post. Thanks for sharing, Professor. Not a substantive legal point at all, but I imagine that the administration is considering similar action in NYC given today’s events (less aggressive protesting downtown).
This was predictable. I was suspecting that Trump would do this at a drop of a hat and was looking for any excuse. One needs to think about some of the places Trump had them do raids first, focusing on cities in large blue states. He has been hoping to cause protests, in my view, to expand the use of military force inside of states. People protesting are playing right into his hands if they get out of line or cross a line, even in a small way. This is what I think they actually want to happen.
It's exactly what most people expected and they want to fight back. Disruption is the core of resistance to tyranny. Counting on moral exhortations, court rulings and elections in 2026 isn't going to stop what's happening now.
Authoritarians want violence so they have an excuse to use military force against their own people and in that way can gain full control.
Thus, any disruption must be peaceful.
In the case of the USA, if people get violent it would give someone like Trump the excuse to use the Insurrection Act and then if he did he could then use the National Guard to engage in actual law enforcement within a state. Right now, they are there to protect Federal Buildings and federal officers only, but one can imagine that he might actually want them there so he can do this and invoke the Insurrection Act and then be able to use the military to control the population within a state under Federal control, and so one might imagine he is hoping for those who would commit violence to appear.
Those engaging in violence are playing right into his hands.
Some are opportunists who want an excuse to loot and others selfishly want fame and to post on the internet, but they are harming us all and helping the authoritarians.
I think there is a reason that Trump began all of this in large blue state cities, and that it is because that is where he wants to stop any challenge first and also because he will need an excuse to use the military to control the population - this is my "opinion"
Once the military is in charge with authority and superior weapons, the citizen "disruptors" have zero chance - game over
After the insurrection act might come martial law, and a dictatorship.
Those committing violence are giving any would be dictator the perfect alibi to take control.
I believe this is exactly why he is creating the chaos and they are taking the bait.
Think about how India won its independence. Non violence, was the key, that is how you win against superior weaponry. You choose a different playing field altogether.
Also, do you think more, or less people will show up for next weekend's protests if they think there will be violence?
I would think it is best for the demonstators to stand down after and focus on the illegal detention that has happened. Ice is intentionally creating conflict and starting a fight, and that needs to be shown in court and those agents exposed. There is a trap being laid, and violence springs the trap.
It is a tricky decision. ICE's violence is escalating and the more and more people are protesting when their neighbors are being abducted. So-called ICE agents do not identify who they are, they wear masks and they have no search warrants. To me - that is illegal and a violation of Constitutional rights. Every part of due process was given to the violent Jan 6 insurrectionists - none of that is being given to Hispanic/Latino appearing or otherwise non-white people. They're sweeping up people who are here legally. So to not protest does not seem the right thing to do. IMO.
Sounds like ICE is getting desperate, which is making them increasingly sloppy. They're now raiding the most obvious gathering places for undocumented immigrants in the country: the back lot of nearly any given Home Depot. At least it's considerably harder to pull this crap on the DL when it's out in the open.
But yes, fair point about violence springing the trap. That's what happened in '92 when Bush called in the Guard after L.A.-area rioting began after the Rodney King beating news began spreading.
Having lived through the “1992 Los Angeles Insurrection” if not on the ground, then through the windows of a Century City law office, that’s not what happened at all. The riots started after the verdicts were announced on Wednesday April 29th and blew totally out of control on Thursday, during which time Governor Wilson mobilized the National Guard, but they were unable to mobilize until the next day due to a shortage/almost complete lack of ammunition until the next morning Friday, and streamed in in force over the rest of the day, while at the same time by Bush invoked in Insurrection Act, initially ordering the deployment of the same National Guard troops that had already been into the city by the governor, as well as federal troops that arrived on Saturday. But and most critically, by the time federal troops finally arrived on Saturday the violence of Thursday and Friday had already largely subsided, with most commentators believing that the crucial factor in the explosion of the violence from Thursday into Friday was because of physical inability the California National Guard to physically deploy when they were initially deployed by Pete Wilson. The decision of GHW Bush to invoke the Insurrection Act on the morning of April 30th had nothing to do with the escalation of the violence on April 29th and 30th.
My apologies: it slipped my mind that this occurred after the trial, not the initial beating, and I'd forgotten the confusing overlap between Wilson & Bush each attempting to mobilize the Guard. (I was alive at the time, but not in L.A.) Thanks for clarifying, and I should've double-checked before posting.
That said, my main point – admittedly explicated in a separate post downthread – was simply concern that Trump (or someone like Stephen Miller) might attempt to argue L.A. is "out of control just like it was in 1992, so like Bush, Trump needs to call in the Guard." (Which is obviously pretextual & a severely warped distortion of reality, but that's Trump's standard MO.)
If you didn't see it -- on Sunday evening 6/8/25 Governor Newsom was interviewed by Jacob Soboroff and Jacob asked him what he wanted to say to Trump, Homan and Miller -- and he let them have it. He told Trump he was acting illegally and making things worse, and he challenged him - if you're going to arrest me I'm here - come and get me. It was something to behold. I don't think anyone has ever stood up to Trump like that in his entire miserable life. California is going to court Monday. The interview was on MSNBC.
I know Trump thinks he can command the Marines based on the National Security Act (not that he's right, but still), but there's a rather significant legal difference between deploying Marines to "secure the border" versus into America's second-largest city. He does *not* need to open Pandora's box. (But we all know how poor his impulse control can be.)
I'm also skeptical that Homan has the legal authority to arrest state officials, but either way, doing so is *not* likely to help Trump in the least, despite his delusions. The main reason Trump's gotten away with so much thus far on mass deportations is because so much of it was done covertly. Stating the obvious that going after day laborers at any given Home Depot is the ICE equivalent to shooting fish in a barrel.
Trump and Baby Goebbels Miller are pushing ICE far beyond what their numbers can manage.
Homeland Security is trying to beef ICE up with untrained agents from other agencies — and it looks it. Let’s hope the National Guard can keep the amateur agents from creating more of a mess than already have.
Note that the CA national guard has a lot of Hispanic-heritage members. They may be more conflicted if ICE again raids elementary school graduation or backyard birthday party.
The problem is, and Gov Newsom addressed this, the violence is not being done by the protesters but by outside agitators - anarchists that see their opportunity to act out. I'm guessing some of them are MAGA and maybe even sent in by the Trump Admin -- but that is just a guess. For any large protest there are always selfish idiots that show up to act out either for their own pleasure or to discredit the protesters. We saw that in the protests for George Floyd's murder and we saw that in the LA riots in 1992. Los Angeles has not seen riots like that since 1992 -- until now when Trump is stoking the fire to give him an excuse to declare martial law on California. That is my educated guess as to his motives. I think that California has been in his crosshairs since his first term - he wants to take us over. But I think that his rage at Musk is so extreme and he can't regulate his own emotions - so he creates chaos and violence because externalizing it is the only way he can regulate his emotions and feel powerful again. He is a very sick and dangerous individual. (I live in Orange County California - in the southern part of the state border LA County.)
I am not sure I can agree "it is best for demonstrators to stand down" entirely. I would say instead be present, suggest that any person who may think standing near some masked ICE who have been told to arrest large numbers at any cost is NOT where anyone who could be Mistaken as an illegal alien should be, but I do think those who feel they can stay completely within the standards for a peaceful protest action should instead stand in groups completely facing away from the ICE and National Guard people. Make no step forward toward them, face away but be heard stating your 1st amendment right to protest and state the reason for your protest.
Just today its been announced that, among other things, the operation will be ongoing across the length and breath of LA County for a month, and any California official who interferes will be arrested and charged with felony obstruction.
In light of the President’s well established hatred of California, it’s hard to see how this ends well.
It is about the illegal detention and the government agencies that are doing it. Yes Trump visa ICE et. al. is instigating the conflict and plenty of people know that and want to resist in a more dramatic way. The courts and Congress don't have any ability to stop the admin.
Amazing how quickly Trump is federalizing the state National Guard against protestors in LA when he sat there watching the US Capitol be attacked. Professor, I hope you’re right but I believe Trump’s actions are intended to incite violence in an effort to invoke the Insurrection Act. His big beautiful military parade is intended to intimidate and further incite protests. These are dangerous progressions…..
What is even more alarming is the authorization of the regular military! Per Trump’s memorandum, (posted on the WH website), it says: “In addition, the Secretary of Defense may employ any other members of the regular Armed Forces as necessary to augment and support the protection of Federal functions and property in any number determined appropriate in his discretion”. I haven’t seen anyone make note of this…!!
On April 28 of this year, President Trump signaled his willingness to use "military and national security assets, training, non-lethal capabilities, and personnel" domestically to prevent crime (1). The inclusion of "personnel" seems to have gone largely unmentioned in the news.
This is a great explainer, but I still vividly remember the summer of 2020, in part because I spent a lot of it in Portland, and not long after all the unrest started over George Floyd's murder. I'm still troubled by all the lawless "takings" I saw nightly – as in people, not the governmental or regulatory variety – of protesters at its several courthouses, which were ground zero for "disappearings." Even now I don't think anyone knows the full story of which "officers" (or agents?) were deployed there, or even from which agency, and I didn't see a single decal – on an individual or vehicle – my entire time there.
I know Trump called in the Guard for D.C., but that was an exception of sorts since all of D.C. is federal – but who the hell was policing places like Portland, which btw remained an active protest site for months after George Floyd's murder? And who's to stop Trump from shifting ICE's duties into something similar to his first term's Portland tactics, but extending to L.A. and potentially wider?
Since we all know Trump's utterly shameless, is it possible he'd try to rationalize it by pointing out that Bush 41 called them in as well 30 years ago to "deal with leftist radicals"?
You mean the entirely understandable rioting after an innocent Black man was murdered by the police, as shown on the uncut, high-resolution, nine-minute video showing Derek Chauvin choking George Floyd to death that rapidly went viral? And that far-right activists using any given crime in the general vicinity of where Floyd was murdered as "BLM-related," along with routinely trying to flame all of it on "ANTIFA"? Yes, I'm sadly all too familiar with both.
Btw "BLM arsons and murders" is your "tell." Like most conservatives, you're feigning that far-right activists weren't responsible for a considerable percentage of what happened in 2020 – or that a ton of "ordinary" crime was misreported as "BLM-related," especially on Fox News – plus you didn't mention any of what happened later that year & into 2021. How curious! (But fascinating that you're more bothered by general looting by Black people than an armed, overwhelmingly white militia attempting to literally seize control of the U.S. Capitol. Gosh, what could explain it?)
Did you stumble in here by accident en route to MAGAlandia?
Your position is that one police murder, which was handled by the courts and led to a conviction and prison, justified an entire summer of riots, arson, and murder.
BLM is and was a corrupt con game, with the owners buying mansions and not helping any black victims. They burned black businesses instead of contributing to black communities.
Your excuses for BLM corruption, and for arson and murder, and all the rest of that summer’s rioting, is your tell of being out of touch with reality.
BLM and MAGA are not the only two choices. Your polarized world is not my world.
It’s also curious that you buy the MSNBCNN line that the j6 rioters were armed. The only people who died that day were the rioters. The summer of riots killed far more people and caused far more destruction, including to black communities, black businesses, and black people. Curious how you think that matters so little. What are a few dead black people and a few ruined black businesses when the white media owners push the fiction of mostly peaceful riots and arson? But you go ahead and swallow that white media line, you be you.
Thanks for the confirmation that you're a dick. And since thankfully this isn't X, I'll be blocking your ass as soon as I hit reply. I just love cancel culture!
You're kidding right? Or are guns the only weapons that your frightened of? Also, you left out of the equation that trump, the President of The United States of America, pardoned every single J6 rioter. Do you also believe that in doing so, it has zero bearings on how criminals should now react to laws? And stop with the pretending you care about the black businesses, I don't recall a single riot afterwards, by one Black owner of a business destroyed. Was it wrong? You betcha. Is what's happening in the USA presently wrong? You betcha. But there's a huge difference. The White man is free. The Black man is dead.
Thanks for the rapid response Steve, very helpful! I had been thinking "I wonder what Steve Vladeck would say" and poof the notification for this post appears. Good stuff.
Thank you for your analysis! It is so easy for overwhelm and dread to get the best of us these days, so it is incredibly helpful to have your reasoned take on events to offer balance. Again, from the heart -- thank you.
Thank you for another articulate analysis of current events. It’s not a stretch at all to think that this is meant to escalate events to provide an excuse to invoke the Insurrection Act. It’s especially chilling after seeing pics of tanks rolling through NoVA today.
While the threat posed by Trump federalizing the California Guard is grave and we must take it seriously, it is no mistake that he did this right after the Abrego Garcia release and his public feud with Elon were front page. His attempts to look strong are often deployed to cover up his failures and weaknesses. Not clear if that makes them less or more dangerous.
Trump’s/Hegseth’s hasty decision suggests you are correct. Also, ICE just doesn’t have the personnel to make Trump’s grandiose detainment numbers.
For the cherry atop this rancid pile, it’s reported that Stephen Miller’s wife left… with Musk. So lots of rage in the White House this week. Makes them more stupid— and dangerous.
“Stay safe out there” has added meaning in this post. Thanks for sharing, Professor. Not a substantive legal point at all, but I imagine that the administration is considering similar action in NYC given today’s events (less aggressive protesting downtown).
Very helpful. Thank you!
This was predictable. I was suspecting that Trump would do this at a drop of a hat and was looking for any excuse. One needs to think about some of the places Trump had them do raids first, focusing on cities in large blue states. He has been hoping to cause protests, in my view, to expand the use of military force inside of states. People protesting are playing right into his hands if they get out of line or cross a line, even in a small way. This is what I think they actually want to happen.
It's exactly what most people expected and they want to fight back. Disruption is the core of resistance to tyranny. Counting on moral exhortations, court rulings and elections in 2026 isn't going to stop what's happening now.
Authoritarians want violence so they have an excuse to use military force against their own people and in that way can gain full control.
Thus, any disruption must be peaceful.
In the case of the USA, if people get violent it would give someone like Trump the excuse to use the Insurrection Act and then if he did he could then use the National Guard to engage in actual law enforcement within a state. Right now, they are there to protect Federal Buildings and federal officers only, but one can imagine that he might actually want them there so he can do this and invoke the Insurrection Act and then be able to use the military to control the population within a state under Federal control, and so one might imagine he is hoping for those who would commit violence to appear.
Those engaging in violence are playing right into his hands.
Some are opportunists who want an excuse to loot and others selfishly want fame and to post on the internet, but they are harming us all and helping the authoritarians.
I think there is a reason that Trump began all of this in large blue state cities, and that it is because that is where he wants to stop any challenge first and also because he will need an excuse to use the military to control the population - this is my "opinion"
Once the military is in charge with authority and superior weapons, the citizen "disruptors" have zero chance - game over
After the insurrection act might come martial law, and a dictatorship.
Those committing violence are giving any would be dictator the perfect alibi to take control.
I believe this is exactly why he is creating the chaos and they are taking the bait.
Think about how India won its independence. Non violence, was the key, that is how you win against superior weaponry. You choose a different playing field altogether.
Also, do you think more, or less people will show up for next weekend's protests if they think there will be violence?
I would think it is best for the demonstators to stand down after and focus on the illegal detention that has happened. Ice is intentionally creating conflict and starting a fight, and that needs to be shown in court and those agents exposed. There is a trap being laid, and violence springs the trap.
It is a tricky decision. ICE's violence is escalating and the more and more people are protesting when their neighbors are being abducted. So-called ICE agents do not identify who they are, they wear masks and they have no search warrants. To me - that is illegal and a violation of Constitutional rights. Every part of due process was given to the violent Jan 6 insurrectionists - none of that is being given to Hispanic/Latino appearing or otherwise non-white people. They're sweeping up people who are here legally. So to not protest does not seem the right thing to do. IMO.
Sounds like ICE is getting desperate, which is making them increasingly sloppy. They're now raiding the most obvious gathering places for undocumented immigrants in the country: the back lot of nearly any given Home Depot. At least it's considerably harder to pull this crap on the DL when it's out in the open.
But yes, fair point about violence springing the trap. That's what happened in '92 when Bush called in the Guard after L.A.-area rioting began after the Rodney King beating news began spreading.
Having lived through the “1992 Los Angeles Insurrection” if not on the ground, then through the windows of a Century City law office, that’s not what happened at all. The riots started after the verdicts were announced on Wednesday April 29th and blew totally out of control on Thursday, during which time Governor Wilson mobilized the National Guard, but they were unable to mobilize until the next day due to a shortage/almost complete lack of ammunition until the next morning Friday, and streamed in in force over the rest of the day, while at the same time by Bush invoked in Insurrection Act, initially ordering the deployment of the same National Guard troops that had already been into the city by the governor, as well as federal troops that arrived on Saturday. But and most critically, by the time federal troops finally arrived on Saturday the violence of Thursday and Friday had already largely subsided, with most commentators believing that the crucial factor in the explosion of the violence from Thursday into Friday was because of physical inability the California National Guard to physically deploy when they were initially deployed by Pete Wilson. The decision of GHW Bush to invoke the Insurrection Act on the morning of April 30th had nothing to do with the escalation of the violence on April 29th and 30th.
Good timeline here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Los_Angeles_riots
My apologies: it slipped my mind that this occurred after the trial, not the initial beating, and I'd forgotten the confusing overlap between Wilson & Bush each attempting to mobilize the Guard. (I was alive at the time, but not in L.A.) Thanks for clarifying, and I should've double-checked before posting.
That said, my main point – admittedly explicated in a separate post downthread – was simply concern that Trump (or someone like Stephen Miller) might attempt to argue L.A. is "out of control just like it was in 1992, so like Bush, Trump needs to call in the Guard." (Which is obviously pretextual & a severely warped distortion of reality, but that's Trump's standard MO.)
No problem. And to your point, Tom Holman has announced that the ICE operation in LA County be ongoing for a month, and any California official who interferes - from the Governor on down - will be arrested on felony charges. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/07/la-ice-arrests-protests-national-gaurd/#link-TZHZRYTLQ5BJXGEBTYD73B2LXM
That and Trump said last night that his next step would be to bring in Marines from Camp Pendleton. Mind boggling
If you didn't see it -- on Sunday evening 6/8/25 Governor Newsom was interviewed by Jacob Soboroff and Jacob asked him what he wanted to say to Trump, Homan and Miller -- and he let them have it. He told Trump he was acting illegally and making things worse, and he challenged him - if you're going to arrest me I'm here - come and get me. It was something to behold. I don't think anyone has ever stood up to Trump like that in his entire miserable life. California is going to court Monday. The interview was on MSNBC.
I know Trump thinks he can command the Marines based on the National Security Act (not that he's right, but still), but there's a rather significant legal difference between deploying Marines to "secure the border" versus into America's second-largest city. He does *not* need to open Pandora's box. (But we all know how poor his impulse control can be.)
I'm also skeptical that Homan has the legal authority to arrest state officials, but either way, doing so is *not* likely to help Trump in the least, despite his delusions. The main reason Trump's gotten away with so much thus far on mass deportations is because so much of it was done covertly. Stating the obvious that going after day laborers at any given Home Depot is the ICE equivalent to shooting fish in a barrel.
Trump and Baby Goebbels Miller are pushing ICE far beyond what their numbers can manage.
Homeland Security is trying to beef ICE up with untrained agents from other agencies — and it looks it. Let’s hope the National Guard can keep the amateur agents from creating more of a mess than already have.
Note that the CA national guard has a lot of Hispanic-heritage members. They may be more conflicted if ICE again raids elementary school graduation or backyard birthday party.
The people should just disperse. This will leave National Guard just standing around. DJT will look like a fool and a wannabe dictator.
The problem is, and Gov Newsom addressed this, the violence is not being done by the protesters but by outside agitators - anarchists that see their opportunity to act out. I'm guessing some of them are MAGA and maybe even sent in by the Trump Admin -- but that is just a guess. For any large protest there are always selfish idiots that show up to act out either for their own pleasure or to discredit the protesters. We saw that in the protests for George Floyd's murder and we saw that in the LA riots in 1992. Los Angeles has not seen riots like that since 1992 -- until now when Trump is stoking the fire to give him an excuse to declare martial law on California. That is my educated guess as to his motives. I think that California has been in his crosshairs since his first term - he wants to take us over. But I think that his rage at Musk is so extreme and he can't regulate his own emotions - so he creates chaos and violence because externalizing it is the only way he can regulate his emotions and feel powerful again. He is a very sick and dangerous individual. (I live in Orange County California - in the southern part of the state border LA County.)
I am not sure I can agree "it is best for demonstrators to stand down" entirely. I would say instead be present, suggest that any person who may think standing near some masked ICE who have been told to arrest large numbers at any cost is NOT where anyone who could be Mistaken as an illegal alien should be, but I do think those who feel they can stay completely within the standards for a peaceful protest action should instead stand in groups completely facing away from the ICE and National Guard people. Make no step forward toward them, face away but be heard stating your 1st amendment right to protest and state the reason for your protest.
Just today its been announced that, among other things, the operation will be ongoing across the length and breath of LA County for a month, and any California official who interferes will be arrested and charged with felony obstruction.
In light of the President’s well established hatred of California, it’s hard to see how this ends well.
Face away? No. Doubt many ICE or CA National Guard are familiar with that British custom of protest.
Confusing people who carry weapons can be hazardous. Face coverings on agents means THEY are scared already.
It is about the illegal detention and the government agencies that are doing it. Yes Trump visa ICE et. al. is instigating the conflict and plenty of people know that and want to resist in a more dramatic way. The courts and Congress don't have any ability to stop the admin.
Amazing how quickly Trump is federalizing the state National Guard against protestors in LA when he sat there watching the US Capitol be attacked. Professor, I hope you’re right but I believe Trump’s actions are intended to incite violence in an effort to invoke the Insurrection Act. His big beautiful military parade is intended to intimidate and further incite protests. These are dangerous progressions…..
What is even more alarming is the authorization of the regular military! Per Trump’s memorandum, (posted on the WH website), it says: “In addition, the Secretary of Defense may employ any other members of the regular Armed Forces as necessary to augment and support the protection of Federal functions and property in any number determined appropriate in his discretion”. I haven’t seen anyone make note of this…!!
I also noticed that and found it disturbing.
On April 28 of this year, President Trump signaled his willingness to use "military and national security assets, training, non-lethal capabilities, and personnel" domestically to prevent crime (1). The inclusion of "personnel" seems to have gone largely unmentioned in the news.
[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/strengthening-and-unleashing-americas-law-enforcement-to-pursue-criminals-and-protect-innocent-citizens/
This is a great explainer, but I still vividly remember the summer of 2020, in part because I spent a lot of it in Portland, and not long after all the unrest started over George Floyd's murder. I'm still troubled by all the lawless "takings" I saw nightly – as in people, not the governmental or regulatory variety – of protesters at its several courthouses, which were ground zero for "disappearings." Even now I don't think anyone knows the full story of which "officers" (or agents?) were deployed there, or even from which agency, and I didn't see a single decal – on an individual or vehicle – my entire time there.
I know Trump called in the Guard for D.C., but that was an exception of sorts since all of D.C. is federal – but who the hell was policing places like Portland, which btw remained an active protest site for months after George Floyd's murder? And who's to stop Trump from shifting ICE's duties into something similar to his first term's Portland tactics, but extending to L.A. and potentially wider?
Since we all know Trump's utterly shameless, is it possible he'd try to rationalize it by pointing out that Bush 41 called them in as well 30 years ago to "deal with leftist radicals"?
Why weren't you equally worried about the BLM arsons and murders? They caused far more civil unrest than any federal police.
You mean the entirely understandable rioting after an innocent Black man was murdered by the police, as shown on the uncut, high-resolution, nine-minute video showing Derek Chauvin choking George Floyd to death that rapidly went viral? And that far-right activists using any given crime in the general vicinity of where Floyd was murdered as "BLM-related," along with routinely trying to flame all of it on "ANTIFA"? Yes, I'm sadly all too familiar with both.
Btw "BLM arsons and murders" is your "tell." Like most conservatives, you're feigning that far-right activists weren't responsible for a considerable percentage of what happened in 2020 – or that a ton of "ordinary" crime was misreported as "BLM-related," especially on Fox News – plus you didn't mention any of what happened later that year & into 2021. How curious! (But fascinating that you're more bothered by general looting by Black people than an armed, overwhelmingly white militia attempting to literally seize control of the U.S. Capitol. Gosh, what could explain it?)
Did you stumble in here by accident en route to MAGAlandia?
Yeah, Charter stumbled over here to fling some shit before crawling back under their rock.
Your position is that one police murder, which was handled by the courts and led to a conviction and prison, justified an entire summer of riots, arson, and murder.
BLM is and was a corrupt con game, with the owners buying mansions and not helping any black victims. They burned black businesses instead of contributing to black communities.
Your excuses for BLM corruption, and for arson and murder, and all the rest of that summer’s rioting, is your tell of being out of touch with reality.
BLM and MAGA are not the only two choices. Your polarized world is not my world.
It’s also curious that you buy the MSNBCNN line that the j6 rioters were armed. The only people who died that day were the rioters. The summer of riots killed far more people and caused far more destruction, including to black communities, black businesses, and black people. Curious how you think that matters so little. What are a few dead black people and a few ruined black businesses when the white media owners push the fiction of mostly peaceful riots and arson? But you go ahead and swallow that white media line, you be you.
Thanks for the confirmation that you're a dick. And since thankfully this isn't X, I'll be blocking your ass as soon as I hit reply. I just love cancel culture!
You're kidding right? Or are guns the only weapons that your frightened of? Also, you left out of the equation that trump, the President of The United States of America, pardoned every single J6 rioter. Do you also believe that in doing so, it has zero bearings on how criminals should now react to laws? And stop with the pretending you care about the black businesses, I don't recall a single riot afterwards, by one Black owner of a business destroyed. Was it wrong? You betcha. Is what's happening in the USA presently wrong? You betcha. But there's a huge difference. The White man is free. The Black man is dead.
Thanks for the rapid response Steve, very helpful! I had been thinking "I wonder what Steve Vladeck would say" and poof the notification for this post appears. Good stuff.
Stephen Miller's words calling the demonstrations "a violent Insurrection" are a likely precursor to the Administration's next step. So predictable.
Thank you Professor for talking me down off of the ledge...for now.
Stephen Miller will claim that violence, real or not, requires a strong response. I hope we don't see another Kent State.
Thank you for your analysis! It is so easy for overwhelm and dread to get the best of us these days, so it is incredibly helpful to have your reasoned take on events to offer balance. Again, from the heart -- thank you.
Thank you for another articulate analysis of current events. It’s not a stretch at all to think that this is meant to escalate events to provide an excuse to invoke the Insurrection Act. It’s especially chilling after seeing pics of tanks rolling through NoVA today.
While the threat posed by Trump federalizing the California Guard is grave and we must take it seriously, it is no mistake that he did this right after the Abrego Garcia release and his public feud with Elon were front page. His attempts to look strong are often deployed to cover up his failures and weaknesses. Not clear if that makes them less or more dangerous.
Trump’s/Hegseth’s hasty decision suggests you are correct. Also, ICE just doesn’t have the personnel to make Trump’s grandiose detainment numbers.
For the cherry atop this rancid pile, it’s reported that Stephen Miller’s wife left… with Musk. So lots of rage in the White House this week. Makes them more stupid— and dangerous.
Kent State
It’s gonna escalate quickly -only because of him…dangerous on so many levels