Pelosi Criticized Over Remarks on National Guard Deployment During L.A. Unrest
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi faced public scrutiny after making a controversial statement about the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles during recent protests. In her remarks, Pelosi referenced “Article 10 of the Constitution” and claimed the president needed a governor’s approval before activating the National Guard—sparking confusion and backlash.
However, the U.S. Constitution contains only seven articles, and legal experts quickly clarified that Pelosi likely meant Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which governs military powers and includes provisions for federal use of the National Guard.
Under Title 10, the president is authorized to federalize National Guard units and deploy them in response to certain emergencies. Historical precedent supports this authority, including when President Lyndon B. Johnson used the National Guard to protect civil rights demonstrators during the 1960s.
Legal analysts also pointed out that while governors are typically involved in coordinating National Guard activity, their formal consent is not required for the president to act. The law specifies that orders should be issued “through the governors” as a matter of protocol, not as a condition of authority.
During the same press appearance, Pelosi claimed she had asked President Trump to deploy the Guard ahead of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot—accusing him of refusing. However, this has been disputed by former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, who said federal law restricted him from requesting assistance without approval from the Capitol Police Board, which at the time reported to Pelosi and Senate Leader Mitch McConnell.
Trump and others have also said he offered National Guard support before January 6 but was turned down. Ultimately, as president, he had the authority to deploy troops if he had chosen to do so unilaterally.
Public opinion on the president’s recent National Guard deployment to Los Angeles has been mixed but leans in favor. A survey by RMG Research found that 52% of voters supported the move, while 42% disapproved and 7% remained unsure. The unrest in Los Angeles, sparked by federal immigration enforcement actions, resulted in the arrest of over 100 individuals and the deployment of over 4,000 National Guard troops and U.S. Marines.
When asked about their views on immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, 57% of respondents expressed approval, while 35% disapproved and 9% were undecided, according to the poll.
As tensions continue, the discussion over federal authority and state cooperation remains a focal point of political debate, especially regarding the balance between public safety and constitutional processes.
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