Former Vice President Kamala Harris blasted President Donald Trump‘s order to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles, saying she is “appalled” by the “dangerous escalation” from the president.
In a statement, Harris said the deployment, which was initiated on Saturday night, is “part of the Trump Administration’s cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division.”
“Los Angeles is my home. And like so many Americans, I am appalled at what we are seeing on the streets of our city. Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos,” she said.
Harris, however, claimed that the riots in Los Angeles, which have seen protesters targeting law enforcement officers with stones, Molotov cocktails, and improvised explosive devices, have been “overwhelmingly peaceful.”
“Protest is a powerful tool — essential in the fight for justice. And as the LAPD, Mayor, and Governor have noted, demonstrations in defense of our immigrant neighbors have been overwhelmingly peaceful,” she said.
Harris concluded, “I continue to support the millions of Americans who are standing up to protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms.”
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Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard late Saturday, a move that has been rebuked by multiple California Democratic leaders. The White House has maintained it is necessary because of the lack of leadership from Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in working to quell the riots.
Most recently, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) requested that the administration rescind its deployment order, arguing it is “unlawful.”
