What is the Insurrection Act, and what happens if Trump uses it to quell LA protests?

Protests in Los Angeles have reached their fourth day as demonstrators continue to voice their opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration policies. President Donald Trump has taken a hardline stance against the protesters, referring to them as “violent, insurrectionist mobs” and deploying the National Guard despite objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The decision to deploy the National Guard has raised legal questions about the extent of Trump’s authority to curb protests over immigration raids. Trump has hinted at the possibility of invoking the 1807 Insurrection Act, a move that would allow him to use federal troops on U.S. soil to suppress unrest. The last time the act was used was during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

Trump’s rhetoric has escalated, with him referring to protesters as “violent, insurrectionist mobs” and “paid insurrectionists.” When asked about the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, Trump stated that it would depend on whether there was an actual insurrection taking place.

The Insurrection Act, signed by President Thomas Jefferson, allows the President to call upon federal forces to suppress insurrection or rebellion against the government. Legal experts have raised concerns about the broad and vague nature of the law, calling for reforms to provide greater checks on presidential power.

In response to the protests, Trump mobilized the National Guard under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, citing the need to protect federal personnel and property. The deployment of National Guard troops has sparked controversy, with Governor Newsom filing a lawsuit against the administration for federalizing the National Guard without proper authorization.

The use of the National Guard in response to civil unrest is a contentious issue, with historical precedent dating back to the desegregation of schools in the 1960s. If Trump were to invoke the Insurrection Act, it would mark a significant escalation in his efforts to quell protests over immigration policies.

Overall, the situation in Los Angeles remains tense as protesters continue to demonstrate against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The deployment of the National Guard and the potential invocation of the Insurrection Act have heightened tensions and raised concerns about the use of federal forces to suppress dissent.