I imagine most Americans have been upset seeing the scenes from Los Angeles. But we may be upset for different reasons.

For those who only watch Fox News, I believe it is confirmation that the liberal cities are full of criminals defying the laws and who need to a strong President to put an end to violence in our nation. From my perspective, President Trump (and/or his administration) are actively trying to enflame violence, or at least the perception of it, to promote their Shock and Awe campaign (if you aren’t familiar with that phrase, read my post at: https://blissfullu.com/2025/01/28/are-you-upset-about-the-news-lately-its-time-to-shock-and-activate/)

Last week wasn’t a great week for President Trump. His side lost multiple court cases, although he should be getting used to it because that’s pretty much been the case for the past couple of weeks/months. But he just appeals, appeals, appeals. Senate Republicans raised a number of issues with his “big beautiful bill,” and seem more resistant to caving into his desires. And former “best bud,” Elon Musk, used social media to oppose the bill and even called for Trump’s impeachment.

So this week, what happens? He sends a bunch of ICE agents to sweep up and deport suspected immigrants in the largest county in the largest Democratic state in the country. (Despite his multiple criticisms of Karen Bass for being a failing mayor, the initial events did not take place in Los Angeles CITY, but about 20 miles outside the city in Los Angeles COUNTY, which is a totally different jurisdiction.) There was some “passionate” oppostion to that. And some might have been somewhat violent and/or illegal, which is not OK.

However, it gave President Trump the excuse to declare they were “insurrectionists” and that everything was out of control and to federalize the California National Guard to use against their own citizens.

I’m not going to go into the whole thing, other than, once again, it is AT BEST questionable that he has the power to do that. But that is what he is doing. California Gavin Newsom is suing, and we will see what happens.

My assessment about why President Trump is doing this is:

1. To seem powerful after his public attack by Elon Musk
2. To make a Democratic-leaning city (which is not where it was happening, at least initially)/state seem like the lawless and dangerous place he claims non-MAGAville to be
3. To distract attention from all the attacks against the “big beautiful bill”
4. To discourage attendance at the 1,800+ protest rallies organized by 50501 and others under the theme “No Kings Day”

National Guards and now Marines? REALLY? are scary. They are meant to be scary. Are they necessary in this situation? No, I think not. California said they had it under control. My reading of the law is that he didn’t have the power to bring them in to do what they are doing.

But do I think he did this, at least in part, to make people feel afraid before a weekend where there are over 1,800 protests across the country? Yes, I do. Again, the protests distract from his “big beautiful parade” of tanks promenading down the streets of our Capitol…and probably causing millions of dollars of damages to the streets that can’t carry their weight, in addition to the millions of dollars to transport the military equipment from where it is actually being used to Trump’s birthday celebration. I’m sure he wants to have the media ignore the protests and focus solely on his military parade. So if he can scare people off with the fear they will be faced off with National Guards, I’m believe he would deploy them everywhere if he could find an excuse to do so.

I’m not saying that might not be a concern, but maybe it is one of the silver linings to be in a Trump red state not to be concerned about that. So I’ll be out marching on Saturday as part of the “No Kings Day” protest. If you want to join us, find a protest by you at: https://www.fiftyfifty.one.

One of the ways to express my bliss is to Activate! in opposition to President Trump’s increasing tendency towards a police state. If that is true for you as well, please join us if you can, wherever you are. But don’t let Trump’s use of the National Guard scare you into staying home. Don’t let the bullies win. Donald Trump is our President, but in this case, he is just being a bully.