Calif. AG Bonta: National Guard Wasn’t Needed in L.A. Yesterday and Sending Them in Only Escalated the Situation

EXCERPT:

BONTA: “National Guard weren't needed in L.A. yesterday and sending them in only escalated the situation and contributed to the developments we saw overnight. I was in communication with local law enforcement this weekend, who confirmed that they had what they needed to control the protests in Paramount. If local law enforcement did decide they needed further support, the first rational step would be to call upon other nearby agencies, mutual call and mutual aid through strong strategic protocols we have in place in the state already. There is a progression here. If you can handle it internally, the situation on the ground, which over the weekend the L.A. Sheriff’s Department and L.A. Police Department were fully capable of, then you do so. If you need additional support, you call for mutual aid. They didn’t need any mutual aid over the weekend. California local law enforcement — excuse me, over the weekend before the president issued the order calling in the National Guard. California local law enforcement are prepared, they're trained and they're resourced to handle situations exactly like this. This is what they do. They know how to do their jobs and know when to call in backup, including the National Guard, when/if it is necessary, when/if it is fit to do so. That was not the case on Sunday. Trump and Hegseth jumped from 0 to 60, bypassing law enforcement expertise and evaluation, they threw caution to the wind, and sidelined strategy in an unnecessary and inflammatory escalation that only further spurred unrest. Let's be very clear, there was no risk of rebellion, no threat of foreign invasion, no inability for the federal government to enforce federal laws."