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Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement after President Donald Trump ordered 700 Marines to Los Angeles amid protests:

“Five months into his administration, Donald Trump is working to create a police state in the United States of America. Donald Trump’s escalation of tensions through the deployment of our military against Americans in Los Angeles should terrify everyone. And since proclaiming on Saturday that ‘there will be troops everywhere,’ he’s making it clear he won’t stop with Los Angeles.

“Peaceful protest is central to free speech; violence is never acceptable, and I forcefully condemn it. However, Donald Trump’s deployment of active duty service members within our country’s borders – without a request from that state’s governor - is unprecedented and alarming.

“From pardoning true insurrectionists who assaulted law enforcement protecting our nation’s capital on January 6, to the militarization of the border, to a $45 million military parade to celebrate his birthday – akin to those undertaken by dangerous dictators throughout history–  to deploying the U.S. government against his political opponents, Donald Trump is unapologetically and eagerly leading our democratic republic on a rapid race to fascism.”