**Protests in Los Angeles: A Crisis or a Call to Action?**
A recent wave of protests in Los Angeles has sparked heated debate about the state’s place in the US. According to Alexander Motyl, a political science professor at Rutgers University-Newark, the crisis is overblown. “90% of the protests were peaceful,” he reports.
While there were instances of violence, including groups of anarchists throwing stones and setting cars on fire, the majority of protesters were demonstrating peacefully. The expert believes that this peaceful movement has been mischaracterized by some as an uprising, allowing President Trump to deploy the military in response. This move is seen as a deliberate attempt to remove the government from California.
**Trump’s Motives**
Motyl emphasizes that Trump’s actions are driven by his hatred for California and its liberal values. “He hates not only Kamala Harris but also the governor of the state,” he says. “He hates California because its liberalism represents everything Trump opposes.” This personal vendetta, according to Motyl, has led Trump to use a law allowing the president to deploy the military in case of an invasion as a pretext for intervention.
**Anti-Trump Protests Across the US**
The protests in Los Angeles are part of a larger movement against Trump. Today, 1,800 anti-Trump protests were planned across the country under the slogan “No Kings.” Motyl sees this as a positive development, highlighting that Americans are fed up with Trump’s policies and actions.
**Violence Against Democratic Politicians**
Unfortunately, violence has also been directed at Democratic politicians in the US. Two armed attacks on lawmakers occurred in Minnesota, resulting in two deaths and two severe injuries. The Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has described this as a “politically motivated murder.” This incident highlights the deepening polarization in American politics.
**International Commentary**
The protests in Los Angeles have also sparked commentary from international leaders. A Russian official, Alexei Pushkov, claimed that the US is “the top candidate for disintegration” due to the protests in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, a political scientist with the Russian Academy of Sciences advised Trump to suppress the California protests by force.
**Conclusion**
The crisis in Los Angeles may be overblown, but it highlights the deep divisions within American society. As Motyl concludes, “People are protesting, and this is very positive. Americans are showing that they are fed up.” The question remains whether this movement will lead to meaningful change or further polarization.
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