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Ali Velshi on the National Guard deployment to L.A.

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Listen

Ali Velshi On What is Happening in Los Angeles Right Now

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member breaks down the escalating situation and details the dangers of federalizing a state's National Guard

Listen

Ali Velshi On What is Happening in Los Angeles Right Now

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member breaks down the escalating situation and details the dangers of federalizing a state's National Guard

BY Ali Velshi

Jun. 09, 2025

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In a Los Angeles neighborhood on Friday, an ICE raid at a local Home Depot provoked the community to protest. Over the course of the weekend, LAPD, county sheriffs, and federal agents began tear-gassing demonstrators and firing rubber bullets into the crowds. On Sunday, the National Guard arrived in L.A. Ali Velshi breaks down the escalating situation.

To be clear, the governor has not activated the National Guard in California. President Donald Trump did that. In addition, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatened to deploy the Marines to Los Angeles. Only invocation of the Insurrection Act allows the president to utilize the military against American citizens on American soil.

The President has declared that Los Angeles is “lawless” and the protests “a form of rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States,” while members of his administration have threatened the state’s governor and the city’s Mayor with prosecution. This is a disturbing escalation of force against constitutionally protected demonstrations. Thousands of protesters are expected to continue marching against federal forces, and it’s unclear where this will lead.

LISTEN: VELSHI BREAKS DOWN WHAT’S HAPPENING IN LOS ANGELES

 

 

WATCH: VELSHI ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF FEDERALIZING THE NATIONAL GUARD

 

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