Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday panned President Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard in response to protests in Los Angeles over the administration carrying out its deportation plans.
Schumer argued that Trump’s activation of the National Guard was a “diversion” from his ongoing spat with Elon Musk and what Democrats say is an “ugly” tax cut package moving through the Senate.
“His order to deploy the National Guard in California is unnecessary, inflammatory, and provocative,” Schumer said. “Trump should immediately revoke his command to use the National Guard, and leave the law enforcement to the governor and the mayor, who are more than capable of handling the situation.”
“Americans do not need or deserve this unnecessary and provocative chaos,” he added.
The comments came after 300 National Guard troops arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday amid three days of protests in the nation’s second-largest city.
Other Democrats, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) have also criticized the move, which Trump undertook over Newsom’s objections.
Trump has shown no signs of backing down though, as roughly 500 Marines were being “prepared to deploy” to the city.
“Violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations,” Trump said on Sunday, adding that he has directed relevant Cabinet officials “to take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion, and put an end to these Migrant riots.”
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