U.S. show of force raising fear, pushing norms in 'blue' cities

In downtown Los Angeles, Gov. Gavin Newsom was holding a news conference with Democratic leaders when the Border Patrol showed up nearby to conduct a showy immigration raid.

- BY HANNAH FRY, GRACE TOOHEY AND RICHARD WINTON

BORDER PATROL agents march to Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in L.A.

In Washington, D.C., hundreds of National Guard troops patrolled the streets, some in armored vehicles, as city officials battled with the White House over whether the federal government can take control of the local police department.

President Trump has long demonized "blue" cities such as Los Angeles, Washington and New York, frequently claiming — often contrary to evidence — that Democratic leaders have allowed crime and blight to worsen. Trump cited out-of-control crime as the reason for his Washington, D.C., guard deployment, even though data show that crime in the city is down.

But over the last few months, Trump's rhetoric has given way to searing images of federal power on urban streets that are generating both headlines and increasing alarm in some circles.

While past presidents have occasionally used the Insurrection Act to deploy the military in response to clear, acute crises, the way Trump has deployed troops in Democratic-run cities is unprecedented in American politics. Trump has claimed broader inherent powers and an authority to deploy troops to cities when and where he decides there is an emergency, said Matthew Beckmann, a political science professor at UC Irvine.

"President Trump is testing how far he can push his authority, in no small part to find out who or what can challenge him," he said.

State and local officials reacted with shock when they learned Border Patrol agents had massed outside Newsom's news conference Thursday. The governor was preparing to announce the launch of a campaign for a ballot measure, which if approved by voters, would redraw the state's congressional maps to favor Democrats before the 2026 midterms.