The Insurrection Act, a rarely used law that allows the President to deploy the National Guard against a governor’s objections, has resurfaced after more than 50 years. President Trump recently invoked this act by sending 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles amidst protests against federal immigration raids. California Governor Gavin Newsom responded by announcing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, labeling the deployment as unlawful.

The President referred to the protesters as “insurrectionists,” while Vice President JD Vance characterized them as an “invasion.” These statements have sparked concerns about the escalating situation in California. To gain insight into the implications of these actions, Juliette Kayyem, a former assistant secretary of Homeland Security in the Obama administration, was consulted for her expert opinion.

The contentious deployment of the National Guard in California raises questions about the balance of power between federal and state authorities, as well as the potential consequences of such actions on civil liberties and public dissent. The situation underscores the complex dynamics between federal and state governments during times of civil unrest.

For more in-depth analysis and sponsor-free episodes of “Consider This,” listeners can subscribe to Consider This+ on Apple Podcasts or via the NPR website. Feedback and inquiries can be directed to considerthis@npr.org, while the episode’s production credits include Megan Lim, Connor Donevan, and editor Patrick Jarenwattananon, under the executive producer Sami Yenigun.