How Black police and soldiers have resisted federal takeovers

August 25, 2025

President Trump has deployed federal law enforcement and National Guard troops to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., while threatening similar action in predominantly Black Democratic cities, ostensibly to fight crime. Critics view these deployments as political provocation and racial intimidation, sparking debate about their legality and placing Black officers and soldiers in a difficult position. The article examines historical instances where Black police and military personnel have responded to questionable federal deployments to their communities, highlighting that federal officers and soldiers can legally refuse unlawful orders.

Who is affected

Black police officers and soldiers
Residents of predominantly Black Democratic cities
Federal law enforcement officers and National Guard troops
The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
Urban Black communities targeted for federal deployment

What action is being taken

Federal law enforcement officers and National Guard are being deployed to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
President Trump is threatening to take over predominantly Black Democratic cities
NOBLE is criticizing systemic racism in law enforcement and advocating for reforms including de-escalation training, abolition of chokeholds, and officer intervention
Black officers are working within their organizations to advocate against practices like racial profiling

Why it matters

Federal deployments raise constitutional and legal questions about presidential authority
Black officers and soldiers face difficult moral and professional dilemmas when ordered to police their own communities
Officers who follow illegal orders could face criminal and civil liability
There are established legal protections for those who refuse unlawful orders, though exercising these rights is risky
The situation echoes historical patterns of federal intervention in Black communities during times of unrest

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper