As National Guard troops flood into Los Angeles at President Donald Trump’s command—without the consent of California’s governor—Black communities across the United States are seeing history repeat itself. The aggressive federal response mirrors what unfolded in Washington, D.C. in 2020, when Trump deployed federal forces to crush protests for George Floyd, resulting in the teargassing of peaceful demonstrators outside the White House.
Now, with immigration raids sparking protests in majority-Black and Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles like Compton and Paramount, Trump has again used federal troops to confront civilians. For Black communities in Atlanta, Detroit, Baltimore, Memphis, New Orleans, and other cities where resistance often rises from the streets, the latest crackdown in Los Angeles is not just another news story—it’s a clear and dangerous signal.
Here are five reasons why Black communi
ties nationwide should be paying attention:
The Federal Response in L.A. Mirrors
2020’s Assault on Black Protestors:
What Trump is doing in Los Angeles—using
military force against protestors without state
consent—is the same tactic used against
Black-led protests in 2020. From Minneapolis
to Washington, D.C., Black communities bore
the brunt of that crackdown. This is not a new
chapter—it’s a rerun.
Cities with high Black populations are
often epicenters for protests: Cities like
Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis, and Ferguson
have been home to historic uprisings against
police violence and systemic racism. These
cities are likely to be on the federal radar
again if unrest rises—especially under a
Trump administration with expanded author-
ity and a clear record of targeting protests.
Project 2025 would strip Civil Rights pro
tections and expand federal policing:
Project 2025, developed by Trump allies at the
Heritage Foundation, outlines plans to dis
mantle the DOJ’s civil rights division, roll
back diversity programs, and grant the presi
dent sweeping control over law enforcement.
That puts Black-led movements, Black may
ors, and Black communities directly in harm’s
way.
Federal overreach bypasses local Black
leadership:
Many majority-Black cities are led by Black
mayors and city councils. But in 2020 and
now again in 2025, the Trump administration
has shown a willingness to ignore or override
local Black leadership, sending in troops
regardless of opposition. That same strategy
could be applied to any Black-run city.
Trump’s rhetoric continues to criminalize
Black dissent:
Trump’s language—labeling protestors as “looters” and “thugs”—was widely condemned in 2020 as racist and inflammatory. Now, he’s using it again in response to the L.A. demonstrations. Black voices demanding justice are still being framed as threats, justifying federal crackdowns in ways that disproportionately affect Black communities.
