Gilchrist joins Democratic lieutenant governors denouncing use of National Guard and Marines in LA

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, a candidate to try and become Michigan’s next governor, has joined with 20 other Democratic lieutenant governors in condemning President Donald Trump’s move to deploy the California National Guard and United States Marines against protestors speaking out against immigration raids in Los Angeles. 

As of Wednesday, 4,100 California National Guardsmen and 700 U.S. Marines were present in the greater Los Angeles area, ABC reports, with orders to defend federal buildings and law enforcement. About 500 of the National Guard troops deployed to the city have been trained to accompany agents on immigration raids, the Associated Press reports. 

Since Saturday, the Los Angeles Police Department has made nearly 400 arrests and detentions, with the vast majority stemming from protestors refusing to disperse at law enforcement’s request. Two men have been charged with possessing molotov cocktails while the Los Angeles district attorney announced charges against more than a dozen people Wednesday for crimes including assaulting peace officers, grand theft and vandalism.

In a statement, members of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association said they were “deeply disturbed by the chaos unfolding in Los Angeles caused by President Trump’s reckless abuse of power.” They accused the President of using communities as a political battleground for retribution and to project force and fear. 

“Deploying federal troops and threatening military action in our neighborhoods is not only unconstitutional, it’s profoundly dangerous,” they said. 

With California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis opposing the president’s decision to deploy the National Guard and U.S. Marines within the city, the Association offered its solidarity with their fellow Democratic executives. 

“The streets of Los Angeles – or any of our communities – should not be a stage for Trump’s political posturing. We stand united against this manufactured crisis, and we will defend the rights to peaceful protest and organize, without federal interference or intimidation,” they said. 

On Sunday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and 21 other Democratic Governors issued a statement condemning the president’s action as an overreach of his authority.

Newsom filed a suit on Monday, arguing the federal government had overstepped, bypassing his approval as the commander-in-chief of the California National Guard in a situation where federal intervention was not needed. 

A hearing is set for Thursday afternoon.