Trump Deploys National Guard to California Amid Protests, Sanders Warns of Authoritarianism

Senator Bernie Sanders has strongly criticized President Donald Trump's decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to protests against federal immigration raids, calling the move an abuse of power and a step toward authoritarianism. Sanders highlighted that neither California Governor Gavin Newsom nor Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass requested the deployment, emphasizing that under the U.S. federalist system, the governor typically controls the National Guard. He accused Trump of undermining constitutional checks and balances by suing media outlets, targeting universities, threatening judges, and bypassing Congress. Sanders urged a small group of Republicans in Congress to uphold the Constitution and counter what he sees as Trump's overreach. California leaders have condemned the deployment as inflammatory and counterproductive amid ongoing protests over immigration enforcement. The debate underscores growing concerns about the balance of power and the rule of law in the Trump administration's second term.