Local Politicians Divided Over Trump’s Military Deployment in L.A.
President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy approximately 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles in response to rising immigration protests is causing a rift among Massachusetts politicians with military backgrounds. The Marines join over 2,000 National Guard troops tasked with protecting federal property and personnel, but opinions on the deployment are sharply divided along party lines.
Rep. Seth Moulton, a former Marine who completed four tours in Iraq, criticized the move, asserting that it risks politicizing the military—a practice often associated with authoritarian regimes. Moulton reported that numerous junior officers have approached him with fears about potentially having to disobey orders under the current administration.
Conversely, Republican gubernatorial candidate and former Marine Brian Shortsleeve supports the intervention. He argued that the situation in Los Angeles, which he described as chaotic with rioters attacking law enforcement, necessitates federal authority. Shortsleeve attributed the unrest to policies from Democratic governors, labeling their approach as inviting illegal immigration.
Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss also opposed the military’s deployment, calling it "inappropriate" and expressing concern that it could result in violence similar to incidents in the 1992 Rodney King riots. Auchincloss, who has served in military operations in Afghanistan and Panama, emphasized that Marines are trained for combat—not for crowd control.
He also suggested reconsidering the Posse Comitatus Act, which currently permits the President to deploy military forces to assert federal control over civil disturbances. Auchincloss called for Congressional reforms to curtail excessive presidential power regarding military use in domestic situations, should Democrats regain control in the next term. As political tensions simmer, the implications of military involvement in civilian affairs remain a contentious topic.
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