“This Is a Coup in Slow Motion”: Trump Deploys National Guard to Los Angeles, Igniting Constitutional Crisis

By Rob Robertson
Sunday, June 8, 2025

LOS ANGELES — In a move drawing comparisons to authoritarian takeovers, President Donald J. Trump on Sunday ordered the federal deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles, bypassing the state government and claiming the city had been “invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals.”

Without any declared emergency or governor’s consent, Trump’s social media post framed the deployment as a military operation to “liberate” the city. He stated, “The Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free,” and directed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi to take “all necessary action.”

As of Sunday afternoon, no National Guard troops had been confirmed on the ground — meaning the president’s announcement may have been entirely performative, a calculated escalation without coordination.

Newsom Fires Back: “Rescind the Order”

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the order in a public post, calling it an “unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles County” and demanding full control of the California National Guard be returned to him. “We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,” he said, calling the act “a serious breach of state sovereignty.”

Newsom’s position was bolstered later Sunday by a coordinated statement from 23 Democratic governors, who described Trump’s move as “an alarming abuse of power”.

Trump Bans Masks at Protests

Compounding tensions, Trump announced via Truth Social that “MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED” at any protest activity, implying enforcement by federal agents. The policy, which echoes measures used by repressive regimes, was widely condemned by civil rights advocates.

“This is an overt attempt to criminalize dissent,” said Priya Menon of the ACLU. “Banning masks during protests is a tactic long associated with authoritarian regimes — not democratic governments.” Critics argue the ban is designed to discourage attendance, escalate fear, and enable surveillance.

ABC Suspends Journalist After Trump Criticism

Amid the unfolding political crisis, ABC News suspended senior journalist Terry Moran on Sunday after he posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Trump and senior advisor Stephen Miller were “world-class haters”.

Though the posts were quickly deleted, the White House condemned them. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Moran’s remarks “unhinged,” and Vice President JD Vance labeled them a “vile smear.” Moran was suspended for violating ABC’s objectivity standards.

Press advocates slammed the decision. “This is corporate media kneeling to political intimidation,” said Suzanne Holt of the Freedom of the Press Foundation. “When the press gets punished for naming fascism, democracy is already under attack.”

A Disturbing Echo of 1930s Authoritarianism

Many political historians have stopped tiptoeing around comparisons. “We are watching a classic fascist trajectory play out,” said Dr. Marta Ellison of Stanford University. “Demonizing immigrants, federalizing state power, suppressing press freedom, and weaponizing the military against civilians — these are not isolated events. This is the pattern. This is the warning.”

Indeed, historians say the parallels with 1930s Germany are no longer abstract. “It’s textbook,” Ellison said. “And it’s happening now.”

Legal Action Expected

Governor Newsom’s office confirmed Sunday that legal challenges are imminent. Experts say Trump’s actions may violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the use of military forces in domestic law enforcement, as well as the 10th Amendment, which protects states’ rights.

“This is a line no president should cross,” said Harold Jensen, former DOJ counsel. “If allowed to stand, it sets a precedent for the White House to override any governor, at any time, under the guise of ‘order.’ That’s not leadership. That’s authoritarianism.”

⚠️ CALL TO ACTION: THIS IS NOT NORMAL

If you’re waiting for the moment to act — this is it.

🔹 Call your elected officials and demand public condemnation of the National Guard deployment and mask ban.
🔹 Support independent journalism and civil liberties organizations working on the front lines.
🔹 Join peaceful protests and defend your right to assemble and speak.
🔹 Share this article — don’t let this story be buried beneath manufactured distractions.

If we normalize this moment, we lose the next one. And the next. And eventually, we lose the republic itself.

If you’ve ever wondered what you would’ve done in 1939… you’re doing it now.