A lesson learned from the Minneapolis, Seattle, and Portland violent protests after the death of George Floyd in 2020 is that you employ the National Guard early, so your buildings are not torched or taken over by anarchists [“LA-area mayors to Trump: Halt stepped up raids,” News, June 12]. To portray the events in Los Angeles as demonstrations or protests and not riots is false. Just watch the images on TV.

The federal government is enforcing the law. Many of these immigrants have broken the law by entering our country illegally and must now face the consequences.

Not long ago, the southern states were segregated. The federal government sent in the National Guard to enforce the law, and the South became desegregated much to the benefit of all. For us to survive as a country and a society, laws must be followed and enforced.

 — John Romano, Baldwin

I find it terribly concerning that Donald Trump has deployed thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles.

This action was done without following clear legal procedures that must be adhered to in the special cases where mobilization would be warranted. The president did this without consulting Gov. Gavin Newsom, as is required. In fact, it was done over the objections of both Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass.

Soldiers on the streets of a major city is something I would expect to see in Moscow or Beijing, not in Los Angeles. This transition to authoritarianism must stop. I applaud the thousands of nonviolent protesters who are rallying to save our democracy.

 — Robert Marcus, Setauket

Donald Trump needs to de-escalate the “crisis” in Los Angeles. It is being generated by the same man who watched TV while thousands of rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol. The simple act of withdrawing all Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from LA and sending the Marines back to their bases would end this. Surely, ICE agents have other means of apprehending individuals who entered the country without legal permission. About $134 million is being spent to send in the Guard and Marines, to what end? To provoke the area residents and satisfy some apparent need to punish a blue state?

 — Edmund Pavlak, Speonk

Comparing Jan. 6 to the Los Angeles protesters is a farce [“National Guard use now is hypocritical,” Letters, June 11].

Tell me the number of stores the Jan. 6 protesters looted or the number of cars they burned. How many fires were started then? I do remember Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran, being shot to death by a Capitol police officer. Donald Trump has the right to call out the Guard. Thank goodness he stood up and took charge.

 — Kevin Mullen, Holtsville

Sending in the National Guard has been getting negative reviews. When the Guard is called in by the president, it is for a good reason, including crowd control, public looting, and disasters. During the 1970 postal strike, President Richard Nixon called in the National Guard to help deliver mail. I know — I was called up. The most unfortunate incident was at Ohio’s Kent State University in 1970 when four students were killed.

To be prepared, the National Guard gives up a lot of their time at home. They have a job to do, and they do it well.
 — Norman Kaufman, Plainview

One would think that the world would evolve toward justice and humanity. However, we see a complete decline in both. Among nations and within countries, the concept that “might makes right” has never been more prevalent. The suppression of fundamental freedoms through force is a critical issue that warrants global attention, whether it occurs in Los Angeles, New York or any other place in the world.
— Zeshan Hamid, Miller Place

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the estimated $134 million used to send the National Guard and Marines into Los Angeles would instead have been spent on sending the money to food banks all over the country that have been depleted, and some emptied, because of Donald Trump’s tariffs and his handling of the economy. Not to mention the tens of millions of dollars that are being spent on his military parade Saturday.

 — Ann Leahy, Wantagh

I am very concerned about Donald Trump escalating the situation that ICE agents set in motion with their brutal tactics. Masked ICE agents dressed like Proud Boys using flash-bang grenades against Americans objecting to ICE’s questionable tactics is frightening and a threat to our democracy and rule of law.

I think we are at a serious point in American democracy. This is not politics as usual — it’s something more dangerous and threatening to America.

Hopefully, there are enough Americans to stop this madness before it’s too late to “save the last best hope of Earth.“

— George Hoffman, Setauket

Rep. Tom Suozzi said about ICE agents taking individuals into custody at the Glen Cove train station: “I fully support the deportation of violent criminals. But I’m concerned about the rising fear in communities, and we don’t want innocent families swept up in poorly coordinated raids” [“Cops: ICE action in Glen Cove,” News, June 12].

If individuals have entered the country illegally, it doesn’t matter whether they are “violent criminals.” They entered illegally, have broken the civil laws and should be deported.

Do we now just pick and choose what laws to obey? Should we eliminate passports and let everyone into the country?

 — Judy Riccuiti, Farmingdale

Not all have entered the country illegally. Many immigrants were given temporary status and are in the process of complying with the rules.

Resorting to violence to express frustration never works. A shove against an ICE agent is not appropriate. But neither is the bad treatment of those deemed “illegal.” It is demeaning to monitor schools, churches or outreach offices waiting to pounce.

Help churches or other organizations aid the marginalized. Stop judging an entire people as if they are the reason for crime or the state of our nation.

It’s time to work together against injustice. Serve, pray, love, and hope there will be change. This can’t continue.

 — Rita M. Dlug, Riverhead

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