Trump threatens to use the Insurrection Act of 1807 against LA protesters

President Donald Trump has escalated his response to ongoing protests in Los Angeles, threatening to invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act—a rare and controversial move that would allow him to deploy federal troops without state consent. The protests, which began on June 6 in response to federal immigration raids, have intensified over the past week, leading to violent clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.

In an interview on June 8, Trump stated that he might invoke the Insurrection Act if he deemed the protests to constitute an insurrection. He had already deployed approximately 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles as part of a federal strategy to manage the unrest. Trump reiterated his criticism of California Governor Gavin Newsom, noting that they had spoken the previous day. The decision on invoking the Insurrection Act remains pending, with Trump indicating a “we’ll see” approach based on how the situation evolves.

The Insurrection Act allows the president to deploy federal troops to suppress insurrections and enforce federal law in certain circumstances. While past presidents have invoked the act, its use without state consent is rare and has raised legal and constitutional concerns.

The deployment of federal troops has drawn criticism from Democratic leaders, including Governor Newsom, who condemned the move as unconstitutional and politically motivated. He has filed a lawsuit to block further military involvement. Protests have spread to at least nine other U.S. cities, with demonstrators opposing the detention and deportation of undocumented migrants.

The situation has raised concerns about civil-military boundaries and the use of military force in domestic law enforcement. As the unrest continues, the potential invocation of the Insurrection Act remains a contentious issue with significant legal and political implications.