Former Vice President Kamala Harris launched a scathing attack against President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles, describing the move as part of a calculated strategy to create division and fear among communities demanding dignity and due process.
On June 8, 2025, Harris expressed her outrage through social media, stating she was “appalled” by the scenes unfolding in the city. “This Administration’s actions are not about public safety — they’re about stoking fear,” she wrote in her post on X, formerly Twitter.
The deployment represents the first time since 1965 that a president has activated the National Guard in a state while bypassing the governor’s authority. Trump signed the memorandum over the weekend, citing a need to address what he characterized as lawlessness that had been allowed to persist during protests sparked by immigration raids in the area.
Harris characterized the National Guard deployment as a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos, linking it to recent ICE raids in Southern California and across the nation. She described these actions as components of what she termed the Trump Administration’s cruel and calculated agenda to spread panic and division throughout communities.
Former second gentleman Doug Emhoff supported his wife’s statement, emphasizing that Los Angeles residents have the right to make their voices heard through peaceful protest. Emhoff argued that standing up for others through peaceful demonstration represents an exercise of democracy rather than a threat to public safety.
California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly opposed Trump’s decision, emphasizing that the city had no problems until the president became involved. Newsom called on Trump to rescind his order and announced plans to file a lawsuit against the president, describing the move to deploy the Guard as illegal during an interview with MSNBC.
The controversy comes as Harris and Emhoff have relocated to the Brentwood area of Los Angeles following her defeat to Trump in the 2024 presidential election. The former California attorney general is reportedly considering a gubernatorial run for 2026, as Newsom will be term-limited after serving eight years in the role.
Harris is expected to make her decision regarding the gubernatorial race by the end of summer 2025. Her political future has been a subject of speculation since her departure from the vice presidency, with many Democratic observers viewing her as a potential candidate for various offices in California.
The National Guard deployment has intensified existing tensions between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement policies. The demonstrations that prompted Trump’s action were expected to continue on Monday following the weekend deployment announcement.
Harris has maintained a vocal opposition to Trump’s immigration policies throughout his return to office. Her criticism of the Los Angeles deployment represents her most direct confrontation with the administration’s use of federal forces in state jurisdictions.
The former vice president’s statement reflects broader Democratic concerns about federal overreach and the militarization of immigration enforcement. Party leaders have consistently argued that such deployments create unnecessary fear in immigrant communities and interfere with local law enforcement priorities.
Legal experts have questioned the constitutional authority for such deployments without state cooperation. The 1965 precedent involved federal intervention during civil rights demonstrations, but the current situation involves different legal and political circumstances that may face court challenges.
The conflict between Harris and Trump over the Los Angeles situation highlights the ongoing political divisions over immigration policy and federal-state relations. Both figures are positioning themselves for continued political influence, with Trump in office and Harris considering her next political move in California.
The deployment has drawn criticism from civil rights organizations and immigration advocacy groups, who argue that the presence of federal troops creates an intimidating atmosphere for peaceful protesters. Community leaders have called for dialogue rather than military intervention to address concerns about immigration enforcement.
