LA's Turbulent Times: Protests, Riots, and the Role of Police Response

Cicley Gay, chairwoman of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, critiques President Trump's decision to send the National Guard to Los Angeles, stating that “the response feels like provocation, not protection.” This action was taken without the consent of Governor Gavin Newsom, raising constitutional questions about command authority as defined by Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code. Gay draws parallels between the current situation and Trump’s 2020 deployment of the National Guard amid protests over George Floyd’s death, specifically recalling his forceful dispersal of demonstrators outside the White House. She emphasizes that true leadership involves listening rather than silencing dissent.Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, supports Newsom's stance, criticizing Trump’s tactics as provocative. The NAACP echoes these sentiments, asserting that the deployment of troops exacerbates tensions in already struggling communities. Gay warns that these actions reflect a broader misuse of power to instill fear, particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods.