By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
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 protest 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 communities 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 Protest
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 authority and a clear record of targeting protest. - Project 2025 Would Strip Civil Rights Protections and Expand Federal Policing
Project 2025, developed by Trump allies at the Heritage Foundation, outlines plans to dismantle the DOJ’s civil rights division, roll back diversity programs, and grant the president sweeping control over law enforcement. That puts Black-led movements, Black mayors, 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.
