Today's News: Trump’s Use of Emergency Powers and Military Force in Los Angeles
The administration’s actions have sparked legal challenges from California leaders and criticism from scholars and civil rights advocates who view the maneuvers as an overreach of executive power.
Photo: Joshua Lott/The Washington Post
Overview
Date: June 9–10, 2025
Topic: Trump’s Use of Emergency Powers and Military Force in Response to Immigration Protests
Summary: Multiple outlets report on President Donald Trump's controversial deployment of National Guard and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests triggered by aggressive federal immigration raids. The administration’s actions have sparked legal challenges from California leaders and criticism from scholars and civil rights advocates who view the maneuvers as an overreach of executive power. Trump’s justification hinges on declaring a national emergency, though legal and political opponents argue the emergencies are manufactured. Reports highlight both the operational scope of immigration enforcement and the constitutional questions raised by the president’s invocation of emergency authority without state consent.
Sources
The New York Times – "Trump Declares Dubious Emergencies to Amass Power, Scholars Say"
CNN – "Hegseth defends military involvement in LA protests as defense secretary faces questions over costs and authority"
NBC News – "Military deployment in L.A. puts Trump's authority to use troops at home in the spotlight"
Fox News – "Trump says nationwide immigration raids on the way, rioters to face 'greater force' than LA"
The Washington Post – "Los Angeles residents rally behind immigrants: ‘He’s messing with the wrong people’"
The Wall Street Journal – "The White House Marching Orders That Sparked the L.A. Migrant Crackdown"
Key Points
Trump declared multiple national emergencies to justify immigration raids and military deployments, including the use of a centuries-old Alien Enemies Act (The New York Times).
California’s governor and local officials opposed Trump’s unilateral deployment of troops, prompting lawsuits and raising federalism concerns (NBC News, The Washington Post).
Legal scholars across outlets argued Trump’s emergency declarations lacked a legitimate basis and may represent constitutional overreach (The New York Times, NBC News).
The Department of Defense acknowledged the $134 million cost of the LA deployment and confirmed that active-duty Marines and National Guard are not authorized to perform law enforcement unless the Insurrection Act is invoked (CNN).
There is widespread fear, protests, and civil unrest in LA communities affected by raids; many residents feel targeted and see the actions as politically motivated (The Washington Post).
Unique Highlights
The Wall Street Journal detailed Stephen Miller’s directive for ICE to abandon traditional targeting practices in favor of aggressive, indiscriminate arrests, including raids on Home Depot and 7-Eleven locations.
CNN focused on congressional scrutiny of Secretary Pete Hegseth, highlighting internal Pentagon dysfunction and the administration’s struggles with budget justification for military deployments.
Fox News provided Trump’s explicit warning that similar raids and stronger force would be used nationwide, framing the protests as violent riots and backing the administration’s escalation.
The Washington Post captured voices of LA residents, offering community-level perspectives and documenting disruptions to daily life, including economic impact on local businesses and emotional distress among undocumented families.
NBC News emphasized the legal tension surrounding the Posse Comitatus Act and Insurrection Act, questioning Trump’s constitutional authority to bypass state leadership in domestic troop deployment.
Contrasting Details
The New York Times and NBC News both argue Trump’s emergency powers are constitutionally dubious, while Fox News frames the use of force as justified and effective in maintaining order.
The Wall Street Journal implies the scale of ICE operations may be more symbolic than impactful, highlighting relatively low deportation numbers, in contrast to Fox News, which emphasizes the strength and urgency of enforcement.
CNN presents an institutional critique focused on military chain of command and budget oversight, while The Washington Post centers community narratives and frames the conflict as personal and localized.
NBC News reported that Trump has not invoked the Insurrection Act, whereas The New York Times notes administration officials, including Stephen Miller, are considering suspending habeas corpus, raising stakes well beyond the current operational posture.
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