Former Vice President Kamala Harris launched a scathing attack against President Donald Trump on Sunday, condemning his decision to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles as part of what she described as a calculated strategy to spread fear and division across the nation.
In a statement posted on X on June 8, 2025, Harris expressed her dismay over the federal intervention in the city, stating she was “appalled” by the scenes unfolding in Los Angeles. She characterized the National Guard deployment as a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos, linking it to recent ICE raids conducted across Southern California and other parts of the country.
Harris argued that the Trump administration’s actions were not genuinely focused on public safety concerns but rather represented a deliberate effort to stoke fear within communities demanding dignity and due process. Her criticism came as protests erupted in Los Angeles following immigration enforcement operations that had sparked widespread community demonstrations.
The deployment marked a historically significant moment, representing the first time since 1965 that a president had activated the National Guard in a state while bypassing the governor’s authority. Trump took this dramatic step over the weekend by signing a memorandum that cited a need to address what he described as lawlessness that had been allowed to fester during the protests.
California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly opposed the federal intervention, emphasizing that the city had not experienced problems until Trump became involved. Newsom called on the president to rescind his order and indicated plans to file a lawsuit against the administration, describing Trump’s move as illegal during an interview with MSNBC.
Former second gentleman Doug Emhoff echoed his wife’s concerns, defending the right of Los Angeles residents to make their voices heard through peaceful demonstration. He emphasized that standing up for others through peaceful protest represented an exercise of democratic principles rather than a threat to public order.
The controversy unfolded as Harris and Emhoff had recently relocated to the Brentwood area of Los Angeles following her defeat to Trump in the 2024 presidential election. The former California attorney general has reportedly been considering a gubernatorial campaign for 2026, as Newsom will be term-limited after serving eight years in office. Harris is expected to announce her decision regarding a potential gubernatorial run by the end of the summer.
The situation in Los Angeles represented a broader pattern of escalating tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local communities. The demonstrations that prompted Trump’s National Guard deployment continue despite the federal intervention.
Harris’ condemnation of the National Guard deployment reflected her ongoing opposition to Trump’s policies since leaving office. Her statement highlighted concerns about federal overreach and the use of military personnel in domestic law enforcement situations, particularly in contexts involving immigration protests.
The deployment also raised questions about the appropriate use of federal authority in local situations. Trump’s decision to bypass Governor Newsom’s authority represented an unusual assertion of presidential power that had historical precedent dating back nearly six decades.
As tensions continued to mount between federal and state authorities, the situation in Los Angeles became emblematic of broader national debates over immigration enforcement, states’ rights, and the appropriate limits of federal intervention in local affairs. The protests and subsequent federal response highlighted the deep divisions that continue to characterize American politics in the post-election period.
The controversy also underscored Harris’ positioning as a prominent voice of opposition to Trump’s policies, particularly those affecting California communities. Her strong condemnation of the National Guard deployment aligned with her broader criticism of what she characterized as the administration’s agenda to spread panic and division throughout the country.
The ongoing situation in Los Angeles remains fluid, with state and federal authorities maintaining opposing positions on the appropriateness and legality of the National Guard as well as the Marines deployment, while community and nationwide protests continue in response to immigration enforcement activities.
