the deployment of military forces to American cities to quell civil unrest is once again a point of contention, reminiscent of June 2020 when then-President Donald Trump considered deploying troops. this time, the focus is on Los Angeles, where protests have erupted in response to immigration raids.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, whose past experience includes being mobilized as part of a District of Columbia National Guard unit during the George Floyd protests, is now playing a central role in the current administration’s response. Unlike 2020, when pentagon leaders reportedly resisted the use of active-duty forces against American citizens, the Hegseth-led Pentagon is seen as an “accelerant” to president Trump’s desire to escalate the situation.

The decision to federalize 4,000 California National Guard troops, against the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom, and to deploy 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles represents a departure from established norms. White House officials have expressed satisfaction with the unfolding events, viewing it as a exhibition of their commitment to immigration control and law and order. They point to a widely circulated image of “a masked protester standing in front of a burning car, waving a Mexican flag” as evidence of the conflict: “a president unafraid to use force to defend an American city from those he deems foreign invaders.”

“We couldn’t have scripted this better,” said a senior White House aide granted anonymity to discuss internal conversations. “It’s like the 2024 election never ended: Trump is strong while Democrats are weak and defending the indefensible.”

democrats, however, argue that the administration’s actions risk further inflaming tensions. Retired officers have voiced concerns about the potential damage to the military’s relationship with the public.

“We should be very careful, cautious, and even reluctant to use the military inside our country,” Bradley Bowman, a former Army officer who heads the defense program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracy, told us.

Concerns Over Federalizing the National Guard

Experts emphasize that state and local law enforcement should typically be the first responders to civil disturbances, with the National Guard serving as a secondary resource. Retired Major General Randy Manner, former acting vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, explained that federalizing the California Guard pulls service members away from their civilian lives and disrupts training schedules. “Basically, the risk does not justify the investment of these forces, and it will negatively impact on readiness,” Manner told us.

“This is not Fallujah,” Bowman added. “This is Los Angeles.”

Retired officers also distinguish between the roles of the National Guard and active-duty forces. While the national Guard frequently enough assists in disaster relief and possesses local knowledge, active-duty forces are primarily trained to “see the enemy and neutralize the enemy,” according to Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “When you’re dealing with U.S. citizens, no matter what they’re doing, that’s not the right mindset.”

Hegseth’s Congressional Testimony and Trump’s Response

Secretary Hegseth recently appeared before a House committee, where he faced questioning about the california deployment.When representative Betty McCollum inquired about the cost, Hegseth reportedly criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s response to the 2020 violence following George Floyd’s death. Military officials later estimated the Los Angeles deployment would cost approximately $134 million.

“If you’ve got millions of illegals, you don’t know where they’re coming from, they’re waving flags from foreign countries and assaulting police officers, that’s a problem,” Hegseth told lawmakers.

President Trump stated that protesters at the upcoming parade celebrating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army would “be met with very big force.” He also indicated his willingness to invoke the Insurrection Act if necessary. Speaking at Fort Bragg, he vowed to stop the “anarchy” in California, stating