A prominent House Democrat urged U.S. military members Tuesday afternoon to question any orders given by President Donald Trump as they pertain to their deployment to quell protests in Los Angeles.
Trump ordered the deployment of both National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in recent days in response to heated protests against his administration’s immigration enforcement actions. The move came despite strong opposition from California’s state and local leaders.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), whose district includes parts of Los Angeles County and who serves as the vice chair of the Democratic Caucus, joined CNN's "The Arena" with host Kasie Hunt to discuss the mobilization of troops to the city.
"It’s certainly un-American. And as a veteran, it sickens me that the president wants to send Marines against Americans," said Lieu.
The Democrat condemned looters and those who engage in the wilful destruction of property, but noted officials in the state have said they don't need federal intervention.
"There’s no reason to send in the Marines, who are trained to kill the enemy. What does the administration want them to do in Los Angeles? Shoot protesters? It is insane," he said.
Lieu later accused Trump of violating a federal law that he said "very clearly says that the governors of the states have to give the order. And Governor Newsom clearly didn’t do that."
That's when Lieu made an eyebrow-raising plea.
"And this is very important: I ask every National Guard member to read their orders, read the law, and then decide for themselves if they’re following an unlawful order," said Lieu.
He added that the National Guard’s mission is to protect federal buildings and federal officials.
"So, let’s take the burning of cars. Even if the National Guard was all there (which they were not), there’s nothing they could have done because that is not part of the mission."
