First it was the National Guard, then the Marines. U.S. President Donald Trump has sent troops into Los Angeles to put an end to protests against his immigration policies. Needless to say, there is a lot of outrage. The courts may yet restrain him.

For those of us old enough to remember the Guard being used to put down protests against the Vietnam War back in the 1960s, the images of the State using force against dissent are unsettling. Students died on college campuses as soldiers opened fire on demonstrators. We thought those days were over.

Trump’s policies and attempts at mass deportation of undocumented immigrants isn’t surprising. It was a key plank of his presidential campaign. It may not have been logical, but it was popular. Immigration, especially illegal immigration was an issue in much of the country.

The first thing to remember in this situation is that Trump has a mandate for what he is doing. It isn’t just his MAGA base that felt the American immigration system is broken. As president, he has the authority to find and deport those without proper documentation. His use of the military, though unusual, is legal. The morality of it is a different issue, and is what has driven people to the streets in protest.

From my perspective, the use of troops is overkill, but not unsurprising. Prior to becoming president the man’s biggest success was as a flamboyant reality television star. Of course his moves will be over the top – he is playing to an audience.

He’s right though when he suggests the protests against his immigration policy are a form of rebellion. All civil disobedience can be viewed that way. Whether a military response is warranted is a judgement call.

Local authorities had the situation under control – but that didn’t fit into Trump’s narrative. He doesn’t just want the undocumented aliens removed, he wants to make a statement with the process. He wants to show his power.

Trump is an expert on rebellion. He incited an attack on the US Capitol in 2021 that saw both protestors and defenders die. He knows rebellion when he sees it, especially when it is directed at him and his policies. Violence that supports him is a different matter.

Leaving aside the specifics of this particular issue, what are the limits, if any, to protest? This is something that my friends and I discussed fifty ears ago when we would frequently take part in protests.

Is violence permissible? (We said no.) Were we willing to be civilly disobedient, to be arrested to draw attention to our cause? (Yes.) The images from Los Angeles show that some of those on the streets crossed the line between legitimate civil disobedience and lawlessness. In doing so they played right into Donald Trump’s hands.

Are there limits to what you can do to protest an unjust law or policy? Who holds the state to account when it crosses the line?

The protestors in Los Angeles had the moral high ground until the violence started. Like those who too part in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, if they had stayed their course they might have swayed the public mood They lost that chance when the first car was set on fire and the first rock thrown at police.

Is the immigration crackdown justifiable? Many who are being targeted are productive members of society, holding down jobs and paying taxes. That doesn’t change the law or their status. It certainly won’t change the president’s mind.

Perhaps those protesting government actions would be better off working on reforming the system. America is broken, but from where I sit there seems to be little appetite for meaningful change.

Protest is easy. Reforming the system is much harder. I expect a lot of protest in the next few months. I don’t think it will change anything.