America’s “Civil War” Has Begun
Of course, it’s not yet two armies clashing with real bullets, so the term “civil war” is in quotation marks. But without question, this marks the most intense street conflict in the Trump 2.0 era.
A once-thriving metropolis now resembles a Middle Eastern war zone.
On one side stands the Trump administration, representing the central government; on the other, the government of California—the largest U.S. state.
Thousands of National Guard troops have been deployed to California. On the streets of Los Angeles, violent clashes are breaking out repeatedly.
According to Trump, every necessary action must be taken “to liberate Los Angeles from the immigrant invasion.”
Please note the word: liberate.
Los Angeles has descended into chaos, and as for the reasons behind it—opinions are bitterly divided.
The California government is outraged, arguing that the true instigator of the unrest is none other than the Trump administration.
They accuse Trump’s team of deliberate provocation through a large-scale operation to apprehend so-called “illegal immigrants” in California. On the 6th, federal agents raided at least seven locations in Los Angeles—including shopping centers and factories—arresting 44 people on the spot.
Such indiscriminate and violent actions triggered community resistance, which quickly escalated into violent confrontations. The conflict spread like wildfire and soon spiraled out of control.
On June 6, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement sharply condemning the federal raid. She emphasized that immigrants have contributed immensely to the city and accused federal agents of “spreading fear in our communities and undermining the foundational safety principles of our city.”
Of the 15 members of the Los Angeles City Council, 11 issued a joint statement denouncing the federal immigration agency’s actions as an “intolerable escalation.”
From the Trump administration’s perspective, however, the unrest in Los Angeles is entirely the result of local leniency.
On June 7, Trump issued a stark warning: if California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Bass “fail to fulfill their duties—which everyone knows they won’t—the federal government will intervene to resolve the riots and looting.”
That same day, he signed an executive order deploying 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles.
At Trump’s command, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth doubled down.
On social media, Hegseth announced that the Department of Defense was “immediately mobilizing” the National Guard to Los Angeles. Furthermore, he warned, “if the violence continues, active-duty Marines—already on high alert—will be deployed.”
An outraged Governor Newsom accused the Trump administration of blatant political theatrics.
“The federal government is taking control of California’s National Guard and deploying 2,000 troops in Los Angeles—not because of a lack of law enforcement, but because they want to stage a show,” Newsom declared.
He went further, sharply criticizing: “The Secretary of Defense is now threatening to use active-duty Marines against American citizens on American soil. This is madness.”
In essence, the street unrest could have been easily contained. It was Trump’s reckless escalation that has fueled the fire.
Behind This “Civil War” Lies a Deeply Divided America
What must be acknowledged is that this conflict is rooted in deep partisan divisions: Trump is a Republican, while California is governed by Democrats.
On immigration and other key issues, blue states like California are locked in fierce opposition with the Trump administration.
The United States is a nation of immigrants. Trump and Newsom themselves are descendants of immigrants. According to census data, a large portion of Los Angeles’ population comes from Mexico and other Latin American countries, or are of Latino descent.
Even undocumented immigrants often have familial ties in the U.S. In reality, many have become integral to American society, taking on the hardest, most underpaid jobs.
Trump’s sweeping crackdown on immigration has even affected legal residents, including green card holders—provoking fierce backlash from Californians.
Dissent quickly coalesced, with protests erupting not only in Los Angeles but in New York and cities across the country. Flags of all kinds waved in the streets.
I’ve also seen strong protest from neighboring Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the Trump administration’s crackdown, stating that without Mexicans, Los Angeles “wouldn’t be what it is today.” She emphasized, “The migration issue cannot be resolved through raids and violence, but through comprehensive immigration reform that takes into account all Mexicans on the other side of the border.”
In other words, immigration is an inherent aspect of the American identity as a nation of immigrants. What’s needed is thoughtful, strategic reform—not Trump’s blunt-force tactics, which only exacerbate tensions.
Trump has long been dissatisfied with California’s Democratic leadership and has seized this opportunity to deliver a harsh blow.
Previously, he threatened to “entirely terminate” federal funding for the University of California system—a move Governor Newsom firmly opposed, warning that if Trump dared go through with it, California would stop paying federal taxes.
After all, California is the largest U.S. state. If it were a country, it would rank fourth in the world economically, behind only the U.S., China, and Germany—surpassing even Japan. Each year, California pays over $80 billion more in federal taxes than it receives in federal funding.
When Economic Pressure Fails, Resort to Political Suppression
This latest deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops marks the first time in 60 years that a U.S. president has unilaterally deployed troops to a state without the governor’s request.
The U.S. is a federal system—its full name, “The United States of America,” underscores that each state is akin to a sovereign entity. Trump’s overreach has raised serious alarms in California and beyond.
Many are accusing Trump of inflaming, rather than calming, the situation. His reckless reliance on force appears designed to undermine state authority—setting the stage for a future constitutional crisis.
Critics point out that if Trump truly sought to quell unrest, he would have acted during his first term when his own supporters stormed the Capitol—a much graver incident that resulted in multiple deaths and saw the U.S. Congress overrun. Yet Trump remained silent then and never dispatched troops.
Hence, Governor Newsom has not only condemned the deployment of troops but also urged protesters to “remain peaceful” and “not give Donald Trump exactly what he wants.”
So, How Should We View All This?
Let me offer three brief observations:
First, this feels like a dress rehearsal for a larger American “civil war.”
This turmoil didn’t erupt overnight. The unrest in Los Angeles is the culmination of long-festering issues.
It also represents a powerful backlash against Trump’s harsh policies—one that is now spreading from Los Angeles to New York and other U.S. cities.
And it’s not just about immigration. In the Los Angeles riots, some protesters even waved Palestinian flags in anger over U.S. complicity in foreign atrocities.
Let’s remember: Trump 2.0 has only just begun—not even six months in.
I have a growing sense of foreboding. In the next three and a half years, we’re certain to witness history—history that will be even more intense and shocking.
Second, Trump is not one to be underestimated.
The situation in Los Angeles is indeed dire. The notorious “zero-dollar shopping” sprees have drawn national criticism.
But governing is an art—and healing a nation requires the right remedy. Trump’s so-called cure is laced with partisan calculations. His frequent resort to extreme force risks one grave consequence: division.
Division in American politics. Division in American society.
Racial tensions, wealth disparities, immigration conflicts—all intertwined. This great nation sometimes can’t even accommodate a peaceful study desk. And Trump’s tactics are only fueling the centrifugal forces pulling blue states like California further away.
Let it burn, then. If it’s not chaos on an apocalyptic scale, it wouldn’t be Trump.
Third, America’s soft power is suffering a catastrophic collapse.
What once made the world admire America wasn’t just its hard power—it was its soft power.
But in less than six months, the chaos in the U.S. has turned the country into a global spectacle—and not in a good way.
Yes, America is still the most powerful country in the world. But its soft power is eroding at breakneck speed, leaving both its citizens and the world exasperated and disillusioned.
Is America still a beacon of hope? Is it still a land people long for? Can it still find its way back?
I recall, after the Capitol riot, a diplomat from the Middle East remarked: “If America saw what America was doing to America, it would invade America to liberate America from America’s tyranny.”
And now, the same tragic irony plays out again.
Trump openly claims he wants to liberate Los Angeles. So perhaps now it’s time for America… to invade America—to liberate America from the tyranny of America?