This is not over. President Trump has, it appears, exercised authority under Title 10 to deploy the California National Guard to end violent riots against ICE agents in California. He was right to do so.
As a former Navy Reservist, certain rules apply to how, when, and when a president can mobilize troops, and these get complicated with the National Guard, because the Guard can operate under both Title 32 – reporting to the governor – or Title 10 – reporting to the President.
For a century, when civilian law enforcement is overwhelmed or could be, when a national presence is needed to restabilize a state or city, the National Guard has been called in.
Commonly, they operate to stabilize a civilian environment after a natural disaster, or after a national emergency, such as 9-11, when the Guard manned airports nationwide to prevent any further terror attacks.
They also operate in a counter-narcotics role, under both titles, to support state and federal law enforcement in takedowns, surveillance, criminal analysis, case exploration, and backup.
This use is therefore not novel, and ironically represents a president standing up for citizens when the governor of the state has failed, been reluctant, encouraged lawlessness, or otherwise seems unable to quell violence in the civilian community.
The biggest aspect of this new development is not the exercise of Title 10, which has been done before in many circumstances, and by Democrat and Republican Presidents, but the need to do so to support ICE, after the government – California – offered sanctuary to lawbreakers.
The main takeaway is simple and should be comforting, even as many Americans rightly recognize the 10th Amendment, or an assurance of States’ rights in most circumstances. In short, ICE is trying to get illegal immigrants, lawbreakers by definition, many with felony records, out of the country.
In states like Maine, where 8,000 potential illegals are given sanctuary, ICE should not only be called in, as they have been more broadly, but should be backed up if necessary by the National Guard. Violent drug trafficking groups are in the state, and some tie back to illegals.
And here is the kicker: If the current Maine governor, an anti-Trump Democrat, cannot find a way to help ICE, and will not authorize National Guard protection of citizens and ICE personnel under Title 32, then President Trump should feel well within the bounds of law to authorize them under Title 10.
Bottom line: Thank God for the National Guard, who have pulled us out of endless civil conflicts, and restored peace and safety, and thank God for a president who is willing to deploy them. This is not over.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC. Robert Charles has also just released an uplifting new book, “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024).
Yes all but let’s remind the media mess with The Constitutional authority President Trump dutifully has…
Article II section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. Donald Trump is the commander in chief.
All you hear from the best of the left is tepid calls for calm while failing to articulate a single actionable plan to restore order.
This clap trap from the left is not leadership, it is abdication from all the leaders of the statist left.
It is a refusal to confront the reality that lawlessness unchecked begets far more violent lawlessness.
Excellent fact-based article on the subject. If the Democrat Party was actually interested in either the United States Constitution or the lawful means of governance in the United States, they might learn something from what you have written. Sadly, they care about neither as they actively seek to undermine the rule of law in this country on a daily basis.
P.S.
Is the current Governor of Maine going to have the state participate in the ridiculous Kings Day protests scheduled for tomorrow? That would seem to be something she would jump at the chance to participate in for another ridiculous photo op.
May God bless and protect our active and reservist members of our military!!!
Thank President Trump, National Guard, Homeland Security and the local police! Please save our country from the foreign invaders allowed by the Treasonous Democratic Party!!
And WHAT is wrong with the State Government in MAINE! Maine is not a wealthy state by any means! You would think that they would be chomping at the bit to get Illegal Aliens out of their state! The Illegals use resources $$$$$ that SHOULD be going to the CITIZENS! It’s not complicated. The UNITED STATES is NOT their Country.
Is there any other country on this planet where anyone can enter anytime in any numbers? Where all those entering would be housed, fed, have access to med. facilities and schools, would the population stand for it? We do have the laws dealing with situations as such . All that needs to be done is to apply that law or we have no law and everyone can do as they please when they please.Government must protect the security of the country or there is no country, but a free to enter zone. This is insane, we are insane for supporting those advocating that instead of insisting on their resignation and charge of treason.
“Sanctuary” has been a roundabout way to leave the Union. The states and cities so designating themselves should never have been allowed to sit on the fence. Impossible to both be in the United States and out.
& the Marines too for Fed sites
Let’s not jump the gun on deporting all of Maine’s 8,000 illegal immigrants.
Of course, we should deport any who have a criminal history either here or in their home country but do we really want to deport those who work in agricultural or construction jobs that U.S. citizens are unwilling to do ?
Thanks RBC, for another informative article to explain the rights of the CIC to protect the citizens of our great republic. Heaven knows the deranged leftists in charge of these blue states don’t give a damn about what We the People think.!
Kudos to the National Guard for their Sevices. They are playing a vital role in the Protections of America and Legal Citizens. Thank you National Guard!
It’s time people realized that these folks crossing our borders are NOT immigrants in any way shape or form. They are illegal ALIEN INVADERS who are committing a felony just by entering the country without proper documentation. I believe it’s time to close the borders to such invaders and ones caught carrying drugs or weapons should be shot on site, yes where they are found.
They are no less dangerous to our country than the Germans were to the Polish people or to the Belgian people or the French. Unfortunately unlike those peoples, we have no one to come to our rescue. We have to rescue ourselves. So start treating these people like the invaders they are and stop them in their tracks.
For the uninformed, there are legal ways to come to the united states to work temporarily, particularly in agriculture.
It would seem the trolls are back. Welcome to the weekend.
And GOD BLESS Our Troops! Especially the Snipers!
Look in a mirror to find your failure.
Another clown show lie.
Since you seem to have a problem with the great leadership of this country, why don’t you self deport yourself to the communist country of your choice. It must be awful for you to have to put up with freedom, love of country, law and order. My goodness, If I were you, I would be packing up and heading for China.
?soros is paying for this
As noted the Mexican Flag was present at all those riots! It like Mexicans wants to claim Los Angles as their birth right! This city build with Americans efforts and wealth ! Not mention these illegals are sending back home and paying taxes!
So……what has been accomplished by calling out the guard? The little entitled s**ts are still in the streets and fires are still burning and stores are still being looted. Tomorrow, the 14th is when the financial backers of this crap plan on pulling out the stops and what will we do?
As little as possible. And the result of this in-action?
The riots will continue and spread.