LA Riots: Attorney Matt Murphy on Trump's National Guard Use and Legal Justification

Unfolding Crisis in Los Angeles

• 💔 Attorney Matt Murphy describes the scene in Los Angeles as a "war zone", expressing shock, infuriation, and sadness over the ongoing arson and destruction.
• 🏠 He shares a personal account of witnessing the fires in the Pacific Palisades, highlighting the trauma experienced by residents.

Legal Basis for Federal Intervention

• ⚖️ The president can invoke Title 10 authority to federalize the National Guard under specific circumstances, including the failure of local forces to enforce federal law.
• ❓ Trump is using the justification of a "migrant invasion," though Murphy notes this is not a widely held view.
• 🧐 The legal argument for Trump's action likely centers on the physical attacks against federal agents and the inability of local forces to maintain order.

Governor Newsom's Opposition

• 🗣️ Murphy finds it "outrageous" that Governor Gavin Newsom is fighting President Trump's decision to invoke the National Guard.
• 🔥 This opposition is particularly contentious given the recent fires and ongoing arson in LA.

Rules of Engagement and Federal Jurisdiction

• 🚨 The National Guard's rules of engagement (ROE) vary depending on the circumstances, with historical precedents allowing them to "shoot to kill" during past riots.
• ⚡ Attacking federal agents and engaging in arson are considered federal crimes, giving federal prosecutors jurisdiction.
• 🚫 Murphy expresses no sympathy for individuals arrested and charged federally for their actions, emphasizing that protests do not justify arson.