President Donald Trump Is Not a Dictator – He Deployed the National Guard to Ensure America's Safety and Control Riots and Violence, Just as President George H. W. Bush Did During the 1992 Los Angeles Riots

President Donald Trump Is Not a Dictator – He Deployed the National Guard to Ensure America's Safety and Control Riots and Violence, Just as President George H. W. Bush Did During the 1992 Los Angeles Riots
CSB News Desk | Los Angeles | June 10, 2025

Recently, under the directive of President Donald J. Trump, a large number of National Guard troops and Marine forces were deployed in Los Angeles, sparking political controversy and public confusion. While many are labeling this move to control protests as a sign of “dictatorship,” history suggests this is not unprecedented.

During the 1992 Los Angeles riots, President George H. W. Bush made a similar decision. At the time, violent unrest spread across the city after an African-American man, Rodney King, was brutally beaten by police. To restore order, National Guard troops and military forces were deployed.

The 2025 protests in Los Angeles began in response to recent arrest operations carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The federal government has accused local authorities of failing to de-escalate the unrest or protect federal officers — a charge that both city and state administrations deny.

Under President Trump's directive, an initial 2,000 National Guard troops were deployed. On Monday, the Department of Defense announced that an additional 2,000 California National Guard members and nearly 700 Marines would be stationed in the city. These forces will primarily secure federal buildings and assist ICE officers.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “These additional troops have been federalized to assist ICE and ensure the safety of federal personnel.”

However, California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized the decision, calling it “irresponsible” and “disrespectful to our troops.” He stated, “Many troops are still sitting inside federal buildings without clear orders. This is not about public safety, but rather a dangerous president’s attempt to preserve his ego.”

According to Newsom, such military deployments could escalate the situation further. On Monday, Los Angeles experienced protests for the fourth consecutive night. Several local officials also deemed the deployment “unnecessary.”

Supporters of President Trump argue that he is not a dictator; rather, he is taking decisive steps to ensure the safety of American citizens. Critics, however, claim this is a political strategy intended to pressure local authorities by flexing federal power.

Caught in the middle of the debate over national security versus federal authority, ordinary citizens continue to live in anxiety and uncertainty.