ABC News Daily Is Trump trying to normalise troops on US streets?
Jun 12, 2025
Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University and expert in constitutional law, discusses the alarming implications of Trump deploying troops on US streets. He analyzes the protests erupting over immigration raids and the controversial military presence in Los Angeles. Somin warns of the authoritarian risks associated with normalizing such actions, highlighting historical parallels and potential threats to democracy and civil liberties. The conversation delves into the Insurrection Act and the possible motivations behind this militarization of domestic issues.
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Authoritarian Military Use in LA
- Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to LA represents an unusual and authoritarian use of military on US soil.
- This domestic military use aims to exert federal control under weak justifications compared to past incidents.
Militarizing Protests as Invasion
- Trump portrayed LA protests as a foreign invasion requiring force, despite predominantly peaceful protests.
- Using troops as a partisan backdrop violates political norms and emphasizes aggressive rhetoric.
Normalization of Troops on Streets
- Trump's desire to use military domestically dates back to his first term and authoritarian instincts.
- Sending troops to protests may normalize military involvement in domestic issues, enabling future expansions.