Top Connecticut elected officials on Tuesday reacted to the Trump administration’s move to send National Guard troops and active-duty Marines to California in response to anti-ICE protests there.
“I said in the first week of this administration that the president has declared war on the American people. I meant it figuratively then,” Attorney General William Tong said at an afternoon press conference. “I pray to God that this literally does not become true.”
NPR reports that President Donald Trump justified the deployment, which was opposed by California elected leaders, by saying that otherwise Los Angeles would be “completely obliterated.”
Tong said sending in troops would only make the situation more dangerous.
“The president has packed a powder keg in Los Angeles, and there’s an extreme risk of a broader explosion of violence,” he said.
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said Trump was using force against those exercising their First Amendment rights to disagree with policies of the federal government.
“This is a hallmark of a dictator and a hallmark of an authoritarian regime,” she said.
Gov. Ned Lamont said he was confident that any protesters in Connecticut, along with state and local police, would keep demonstrations peaceful.
“I don't want to give the president any pretext,” Lamont said. “I understand the frustration there is out there. Whatever you do, do it peacefully.”
In response to a question about reported ICE actions in Connecticut recently, including the detention of a Meriden high school student, Lamont said he was concerned by the news.
“Don't let them fool you, saying, ‘We're just going after criminals and those who are dangerous,’” Lamont said.
“What I worry about is they're picking up people at the courthouse, and now they're getting closer and closer to the schoolhouse door, and all that means is it's less likely those people go to the courthouse where they should, and our kids are less likely to go to school,” Lamont said. “It's a really short-sighted, damaging way to go ahead.”
Tong encouraged those outraged by ICE enforcement actions in the state to continue to speak out.
“Do it peacefully, lawfully, but be passionate. Be loud,” Tong said. “Advocate for your neighbors in your community, and against law enforcement activity that you think is not productive and not helpful to your community.”
