The White House’s response to street protests reflects a strategy of using federalized national guard units and marines to quell resistance in urban America, a plan that is now being implemented. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) is deploying special response teams to several cities, including Seattle, Philadelphia, and New York, before anticipated protests. The administration’s focus on militarization in both street protests and immigration raids signals its intent to suppress dissent.

The Department of Homeland Security’s list of noncompliant jurisdictions regarding immigration enforcement, which targeted sanctuary cities, sparked outrage among state and local officials. Ice’s aggressive raids following the list’s release further intensified tensions.

City leaders, anticipating a crackdown, have vowed to resist federal intervention in their communities. Philadelphia’s district attorney criticized the use of federal troops as a provocation by President Trump, whom he labeled a wannabe dictator. Similarly, Chicago’s mayor emphasized the importance of constitutional policing and protecting residents’ rights amid increased enforcement efforts.

The Trump administration’s long-standing plans to use the military to address protests and immigration enforcement have come to fruition, with the president justifying such actions by labeling undocumented immigrants as “invaders.” Despite legal challenges, the administration’s deployment of troops in cities remains a contentious issue.

As cities brace for potential unrest, progressive leaders condemn the administration’s tactics as power grabs that threaten democracy. The escalating tensions highlight the clash between federal authority and local autonomy in addressing protests and immigration issues.