Indian American leaders / File Photo

Indian American democrats criticized President Donald Trump for deploying military force in Los Angeles and escalating immigration enforcement raids, calling it an abuse of executive authority and a threat to civil rights.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris called the deployment of national guards a “dangerous escalation stating,  “In addition to the recent ICE raids in Southern California and across our nation, it is part of the Trump Administration’s cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division.”

Also Read: Rep. Jayapal probes Trump's deportations to third countries
 

In a statement on June 9, Harris described the administration’s actions as fear-driven, not focused on public safety. “They’re about stoking fear. Fear of a community demanding dignity and due process,” she said, noting that the protests had been “overwhelmingly peaceful.”

My statement on what's unfolding in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/rujs8mrVPK

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 8, 2025

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Security, Integrity, and Enforcement, condemned what she called “militarized immigration actions.” According to her, federal agents arrested over 120 immigrants and blocked members of Congress from entering detention centers in Los Angeles and Adelanto, obstructing lawful oversight.

“They arrested David Huerta, the President of SEIU California, who was peacefully protesting the raids,” Jayapal said. “This administration refuses to allow free speech or dissent in this country.” She added that demonstrators were protesting nonviolently against mass deportations and the denial of access to legal counsel—but were met with disproportionate force.“Trump is weaponizing the military against U.S. citizens and immigrants alike with no regard for the rule of law.”

Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17) called the events a “test of federalism” and warned against executive overreach. In a statement, Khanna said, “The LA crisis is a test of federalism. Political violence must be condemned—but so must executive overreach. California had control. Trump’s attempt to override Governor Gavin Newsom’s Guard authority defies the Constitution and the American principle of limited federal power.”

The LA crisis is a test of federalism. Political violence must be condemned—but so must executive overreach. California had control. Trump’s attempt to override @GavinNewsom’s Guard authority defies the Constitution and the American principle of limited federal power.

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) June 9, 2025

Khanna also pointed to a broader political concern, “A party that is talking more about what we are against than about what we are for is a recipe for losing. We need to develop a bold, inspiring, and yes hopeful, vision.”

Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06)  expressed alarm over the president’s unilateral deployment of the National Guard, bypassing both the governor and the mayor. “There is no unmet need,” Bera said. “This is not about restoring order. It is about the Administration seeking to inflame tensions and provoke violence from protesters to justify further crackdowns.” He urged protestors to remain peaceful and law enforcement to exercise restraint.

Rep. Shri Thanedar accused Trump of deliberately inciting conflict to distract from his domestic policies.“Trump has purposefully inflamed tensions... He wants to incite violence to distract Americans from the harmful cuts to healthcare and food assistance, designed to give tax breaks to the rich.”

Legal and political fallout

The unrest began on June 6, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), backed by the FBI, DEA, and ATF, conducted aggressive raids across the city, including in the Fashion District and Boyle Heights. At least 44 individuals were detained on the first day alone, with federal agents reportedly targeting immigrant communities.

On June 7, protests swelled outside the Metropolitan Detention Center and in neighborhoods like Paramount and Compton, where demonstrators were met with tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades. Several protesters and journalists were injured.

That same evening, Trump signed a memorandum deploying 2,000 California National Guard troops, bypassing Governor Gavin Newsom’s authority—marking the first time since 1965 that a president has federalized a state’s National Guard without consent. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later confirmed that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton were placed on “high alert.”

According to federal officials, more than 2,000 National Guard troops are now stationed in Los Angeles. Governor Newsom has condemned the move as illegal and indicated plans to pursue legal action. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also opposed the deployment, calling it unjustified.

Civil rights groups including the ACLU have announced plans to sue the federal government for what they claim is an unconstitutional overreach of authority.