The National Guard troops are taking the streets of LA, Portland, and Chicago, and concern is growing here in Philadelphia. Temple Update spoke with Temple staff, students, and elected officials.
Temple University constitutional law professor Craig Green raised concerns about the government’s actions.
“This is a very troubling dynamic on a national stage. This is a president doing things that presidents haven’t done, that presidents don’t do, and that the federal government doesn’t do,” said Green.
Sophomore Duncan Spencer was also worried that the National Guard would not help the people of Philadelphia. I’m scared specifically of the people living on the street in Kensington,” he said. “Because if I’m thinking of who are the most vulnerable in the city, like who are the people who will see that violence most directly,” he added.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner says, if the National Guard and any other federal forces acted outside the law, local authorities can charge them with crimes. “You can’t just come in here like a bunch of masked up cowboys covering your license plates, committing one crime after another, because we absolutely will, in an even-handed way, consistent with the law, prosecute you,” he said.
D.A. Krasner has said that if they were to commit crimes, they cannot be pardoned by Donald Trump, as he has no pardon power when it comes to state court convictions.
Krasner claims that he will protect the vulnerable people of Philly if it’s needed. “Legal systems are supposed to be even-handed. They’re not supposed to pick on the poor, pick on immigrants, pick on unhoused people,” he said.
Councilmember Kendra Brooks wants Philly communities to know that Philadelphia cannot surrender control to federal authorities who are trampling people’s rights and undermining democracy. “We are known for standing up for our rights, and we don’t like people telling us what to do and what our city needs. We take care of our own,” she said.
She also gave us a statement regarding this situation, in part, that sending in National Guard troops will actually make the city less safe. “It increases the fear and tension instead of calming it,” she said.
Professor Green says even though police are supposed to continue their jobs as normal, they may run into some issues. “When the National Guard is present, state and local officials have to coordinate, because without coordination there could be friction and confusion about who’s in charge or who should handle a given situation,” he said.
Everett Greenberg, a junior political science major, thinks it’s only a matter of time until we see the National Guard coming to Philly. “I think, in regards to the National Guard coming to Philadelphia, it’s only a matter of time,” she said. “President Trump has made it clear he does not like Philadelphia.
Temple Update got a message from Harrisburg that if President Trump does deploy the National Guard to Philadelphia, or any city in PA, Governor Josh Shapiro will sue them.
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