The way forward in the fight against Trump’s coup

The events now unfolding are the execution of long-standing plans.

Dear reader, The deployment of the military onto the streets of Los Angeles—the second-largest city in the United States—marks a qualitative escalation of the Trump administration's ongoing, well-prepared coup d'état, as the Socialist Equality Party (US) National Committee and WSWS Editorial Board explain in our statement today. While troops patrol the streets of Los Angeles under the pretext of responding to protests, the true epicenter of this operation is the White House. The historical parallels are to the brutal military dictatorships imposed across Latin America in the 1970s—in Chile, Brazil, Argentina and elsewhere—where capitalist governments, unable to rule through existing institutions, responded to social crises with mass repression, disappearances and terror. What is involved, however, is not the military overthrowing the president, but the sitting president overthrowing the Constitution. Read the full statement: Read more This is the situation as of Sunday night:  On Saturday night, Trump gave the order to federalize the California National Guard, an action opposed by the state's governor, Democrat Gavin Newsom. By Sunday, approximately 2,000 troops from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the largest combat unit in the California Army National Guard, had been dispatched to the city. The US Northern Command is saying that approximately 500 active duty Marines are prepared to deploy in Los Angeles, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened on social media to send in "active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton." Trump has repeatedly signaled plans to invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act, which grants the president sweeping powers to deploy the military and effectively institute martial law. Stephen Miller, the architect of the administration's fascistic agenda, has labeled the spontaneous, localized and largely peaceful demonstrations as a "violent insurrection," in a clear indication of the preparation to invoke the Insurrection Act. Just last month, Miller declared that the administration is "actively looking at" suspending the writ of habeas corpus—a move that would effectively nullify core constitutional protections. The administration is preparing violent repression, which will go far beyond the brutal crackdown and arrests that have already taken place. In remarks to NBC News on Saturday, "border czar" Tom Homan declared: "If this violence isn't tamped down, someone's gonna die, and that's just a cold fact of life." David Huerta, president of SEIU California, was arrested, beaten and jailed during protests. SEIU California represents 700,000 workers across the state. This is an indication of the massive repression targeting the entire working class. Trump and his allies are using language that is ever more violent and incendiary. On social media, Trump published a fascistic screed targeting "radical left" protesters as "instigators and often paid troublemakers," who "WILL NOT BE TOLERATED." Trump has referred to California Governor Gavin Newsom as "Newscum," and Trump officials have threatened to arrest any government officials who obstruct ICE operations. The 1964 film Seven Days in May depicted the conspiracy of a military-political cabal to take over the government of the United States. Changing what needs to be changed, a similar process is now under way. The deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles on June 7 will be followed seven days later by a massive military spectacle in Washington D.C., scheduled for June 14—Trump's birthday. The event will bring more than 6,600 soldiers, 150 military vehicles and 50 helicopters into the capital.  It is dangerously naive to believe that once deployed these forces will depart the nation's capital. A militarized parade is being organized at the seat of government by a president who is openly carrying out a coup. The decisive force—upon which all others depend—is the working class. The capitalist class sees no path forward but through repression and violence. These actions flow not from strength or confidence but from fear—fear of a mass movement from below that they cannot control. It is in the working class that the real power in society resides—power that is centered in the factories, workplaces and critical infrastructure of economic life.  Immigrant workers make up a massive and essential section of the American working class, and the attack on immigrants is the spearhead for a broader offensive against the entire working class. Trump's move to establish a dictatorship is aimed at crushing all opposition to the rule of the corporate and financial oligarchy.  American democracy is in its death throes. Trump is not acting on his own but as the representative of a financial oligarchy that is hurtling toward fascism and war. There will be no return to "normal." The political situation can move in only one of two directions: dictatorship or revolution. This statement must be read, discussed and acted upon by every worker, student and young person who understands the gravity of the situation. Share it on social media. Circulate it at factories, warehouses, schools, hospitals and neighborhoods. Use it as a basis to organize meetings and form rank-and-file committees. If you agree with this statement and want to become involved in this fight, contact us to discuss joining the Socialist Equality Party.   Join the Socialist Equality Party: Join the SEP   Joseph Kishore National Secretary Socialist Equality Party (US) World Socialist Web Site We're powered by the support of our readers and workers. Make a contribution today to the World Socialist Web Site. This email was sent to alitealbum.wsws@blogger.com. If you want to, you can unsubscribe. We rely on your financial support and your participation. © Copyright 2025, World Socialist Web Site, wsws.org. All rights reserved.