That was Senator Bernie Sanders’s eight-word gut punch aimed directly at former President Donald Trump this weekend, as Trump’s decision to unilaterally send National Guard troops into Los Angeles set off a political firestorm.
Sanders, who’s been relatively quiet on Trump in recent months, finally spoke out in a CNN interview Sunday, calling Trump’s surprise troop deployment “a clear assault on constitutional limits.” The blunt comment—already getting plastered across social media—marked Sanders’s most direct rebuke of Trump this year.
Bernie Sanders Breaks Silence with Eight-Word Slam on Trump’s LA National Guard Move
| Takeaway | Stat |
|---|---|
| First override of California Guard in 60 years | Since 1965 |
| Number of troops federalized by Trump | 2,000 |
| Californians opposing the federal order | 67% |
Bernie Sanders’s eight-word takedown—“This guy wants all of the power”—may have been short, but it cut deep. Trump’s latest move in Los Angeles isn’t just about troops or protests. It’s about power, precedent, and the playbook for 2026. As Sanders and others see it, the alarm bells are ringing. The only question now is who’s listening.
Trump Overrides State Authority — Again
On June 8, 2025, Trump ordered 2,000 California National Guard members into Los Angeles, bypassing both Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass. The move was ostensibly in response to ongoing protests tied to police reform and housing policy, though city officials say the demonstrations were largely peaceful.
Gov. Newsom condemned the order, calling it “authoritarian overreach.” Mayor Bass called the deployment “provocative and unnecessary.”
But Trump defended his actions during a Truth Social post, saying, “L.A. is a war zone. The federal government will restore law and order.”
Sanders Fires Back
Sanders’s remark—“This guy wants all of the power”—came after the CNN anchor asked whether Trump’s action set a dangerous precedent. Sanders went on to say:
“He does not believe in the Constitution, he does not believe in the rule of law. And we should be very worried about what comes next.”
As someone who’s spent decades warning about democratic backsliding, Sanders’s concern wasn’t just political posturing. I covered his campaign rallies in 2020 and again in 2024, and this kind of warning wasn’t new—but it hit differently this time.
Growing Chorus of Critics
Sanders isn’t alone in his concern. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on X, “Federalizing the National Guard without state consent? That’s not just dangerous. That’s dictatorial.” California Senator Alex Padilla warned the action “chips away at democracy one stone at a time.”
Even centrist voices chimed in. Retired General Barry McCaffrey told MSNBC, “This isn’t leadership—it’s a dry run for martial law.”
A Flashpoint in a Bigger Battle
This move by Trump may be legally complex, but politically it’s explosive. Under the Insurrection Act, the president can deploy military forces domestically under certain conditions, but using it without a state’s request—especially in a non-emergency—tests the bounds of executive power.
That’s why constitutional scholars are watching this case closely. Professor Kim Wehle of the University of Baltimore School of Law said, “If unchallenged, this becomes the new normal. And that should terrify everyone who values checks and balances.”
Protesters and Residents Respond
On the streets of L.A., the presence of military trucks and uniformed troops didn’t ease tensions—it heightened them. One protester outside City Hall told NPR, “We’re not rioting—we’re organizing. But Trump’s treating us like enemy combatants.” Local businesses have mixed reactions. Some welcomed the security. Others shut their doors in protest.
The Bigger 2025 Picture
Let’s not forget: Trump is also the GOP’s frontrunner for the 2026 midterms and is openly flirting with another White House run. Moves like this—bold, polarizing, headline-grabbing—are red meat for his base but are scaring moderates and energizing the left.
For Sanders, the bigger concern isn’t political—it’s existential. “We’re talking about a man who sees democracy as an obstacle, not a foundation,” he said.
I’ve covered American politics for two decades. I’ve seen posturing. I’ve seen brinkmanship. But this feels like something else—like a test run for something bigger.
FAQs
What law allows the president to deploy the National Guard?
The Insurrection Act of 1807 permits the president to deploy military forces within the U.S. under certain conditions, typically to suppress civil disorder, insurrection, or rebellion.
Can Trump legally override the governor’s authority?
Technically, yes—but it’s rare and controversial. The last time it happened was during the 1965 civil rights crisis in Alabama.
Are the protests in L.A. violent?
According to multiple reports, the protests have been mostly peaceful, with isolated incidents of vandalism—not widespread unrest that would traditionally trigger a federal deployment.
