Issue One warns deployment of federal troops in Los Angeles “should concern every American”

In response to the news that the Trump administration bypassed the authority of California Gov. Gavin Newsom by deploying the National Guard to quell civil protests in Los Angeles, Issue One Vice President of Advocacy Alix Fraser provided the following statement:

“The Trump administration’s decision to override California’s objection and deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles sets a troubling precedent for enabling federal overreach. For nearly 250 years, our military has earned global respect by remaining rooted in constitutional boundaries, upholding a clear distinction between civilian law enforcement and federal military power. This distinction is not ceremonial, it is foundational to American democracy. It ensures our military remains professional, apolitical, and trusted both at home and abroad.

“While protecting public safety is critical, deploying federal troops over a state’s objection — especially absent a clearly defined national emergency — risks turning legitimate authority into a tool for political escalation. That should concern every American, regardless of party.

“We urge the administration to exercise constitutional restraint and to work with, not around, state and local leaders to deescalate the situation in Los Angeles County. And we call on Congress to fulfill its oversight duty — demanding full transparency around the legal rationale for the actions of the executive branch and affirm the limits of domestic military deployment.

“The line separating the military from civilian law enforcement must remain sacrosanct. When the guardrails that separate the military from politics begin to blur, we weaken not only the integrity of our armed forces and national security, but the entirety of American democracy.”