In Defense of the National Guard
This moment must sharpen our wit, that the people deployed against us are not our enemy
The deployment of the California National Guard by Trump onto the streets of Los Angeles is rightly freaking people out. Just yesterday, I wrote about how this is “The Beginning of the Endgame”, wherein I advocate that we need to get ready for a crazy summer, in which we all may have to make hard choices. I believe this includes decisions to go on a General Strike, withholding our labor, and conducting mass sit-ins for peaceful protests.
But thanks to Trump and MAGA, we must hold two opposing ideas in our heads at the same time: that it is crucial to peacefully resist the use of militaristic force when it’s wielded against us, for one. And, that we must understand the men and women who serve in the forces deployed against us, in this case, the California National Guard.
I don’t live in LA now, but I did recently, before moving home to Indiana. What I’m writing about the National Guard troops could be true of any state’s Guard, in any city: LA, New York, Seattle, or Indianapolis.
California's Guard mirrors the remarkable diversity of the state it serves. According to recent reports, approximately 60% of California's Guard members identify as People of Color, reflecting the state's diverse demographic tapestry. Latino, Asian, Black, and Indigenous Californians serve proudly, many from families and communities that have historically faced systemic economic struggles.
Indeed, the Guard often serves as a lifeline for people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This is as true in California as it is in many states in the nation. For many, enlisting offers opportunities for education, training, healthcare, and economic mobility that remain elusive elsewhere.
The Guard is a pathway toward stability, a chance at a better life for themselves and their families, secured through honorable service to their state and the United States.
But service in the National Guard isn't simply transactional—it’s deeply rooted in a sense of duty and community responsibility. Unlike full-time military roles, Guard members maintain civilian careers and lives, stepping up during crises—wildfires, floods, pandemics, and yes, civil unrest.
These are people who choose, repeatedly, to put their communities first.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, California National Guard members were instrumental in running mass vaccination sites, distributing food, and providing crucial medical support in overwhelmed hospitals. When wildfires ravage the state annually, these same individuals are the ones rescuing families, fighting fires, and providing logistical support. It’s possible that some of the same folks called up now in LA were also called up during the LA wildfires earlier this year.
They are often the first line of defense, operating under conditions of extreme hardship to protect lives and property.
Critically, in moments like this, when the Guard is deployed amidst civil tension, it’s easy to see them solely as extensions of political power or authority. They are not.
Every Guard member, upon enlistment, takes an oath—not to the President, not to a governor, nor a political party or movement—but to the Constitution of the United States. This is a profound distinction. It means their ultimate loyalty is to the rule of law, civil liberties, and the democratic foundations that safeguard all of us.
It’s essential to separate justified critiques of Trump’s political decisions from unjustified demonization of those who serve. Guard members are not mercenaries, nor are they blindly following orders without conscience. Hell, I bet half of them hate that they’re there. They are men and women deeply integrated into local communities, committed to a foundational American ideal—the defense of constitutional democracy.
Instead of feeling fear or anger at the Guard troops currently deployed in LA, what if we approached those uniformed figures as our neighbors, fellow citizens who stepped forward to serve? This is exactly who they are.
We cannot let the hate of the regime make us forget that these are people, doing their best. Maybe they need a bottled water, or a handshake, or a hug. Maybe they are as scared to be deployed against us, as we are of that same deployment.
They embody the complexity and diversity of California itself. They are not pawns, but people who have sworn to defend the rights that allow us to protest, to voice dissent, and to demand better from our government.
Their oath is clear, their duty profound, and their role honorable.
Let us anticipate in good faith that they will live up to it and extend a peaceful hand. Let’s remind them that they don’t serve a president or a party, but they protect the Constitution, exactly what many of the protestors on the streets would say of themselves.
Don’t let the regime divide us—not even from our police, National Guard, and military.
We can envision a better future together, and extending compassion, hope, and love first is how.
Unfortunately, as a veteran, I am very disappointed by the fact that we are not revisiting the situation of the early 1970s. An authoritarian president (Nixon) + lawfully protesting citizens + our good national guard and military personnel placed in a contrived “emergency” does not end well. Let’s not relive Kent State!
Excellent post and commentary, I fully agree