Returning for a second term in office, President Trump promised to crack down on illegal immigration using ICE – the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. With the largest immigrant population in the country, California has been the state most affected by ICE raids, and has seen the most protests against the federal government’s handling of the raids and deportations.
In recent weeks, the people of Los Angeles started taking to the streets to protest the ICE raids. On the 4th day of protesting, the president, against the wishes of California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, sent in the National Guard and then the Marines to counter the protests. Governor Newsom filed a request in a federal court to block the president from deploying troops in Los Angeles.
Governor Newsom has described this action as “sowing chaos” and ‘escalating a situation’ that he says local law enforcement already had under control. While Newsom continues to fight a legal battle, others – would prefer California break away from the US entirely.
This is not the first time California has considered leaving. In 2015, there was the “Yes California” movement advocating for the state’s independence. Now there’s “CalExit.”
So, if there’s no way to legally negotiate secession from the US, the only other option is a revolution, right?
Unfortunately, it’s not likely.
Nowww, the American military has roughly 2.8 million personnel, while the California State Guard, under Governor Newsom’s jurisdiction, has roughly just over 900. not 900,000 – just… 900. It’s not hard to see who’d most likely to win in a fight.
But let’s imagine for a moment that California did break away. Well, after the dust settles, several changes would then occur, one of which would be with this new country’s health care. If this money were to disappear, you might think, “Oh no, that’s bad,” but actually, California would have enough money to implement an improved healthcare system.
If California broke away from the United States, it would be left without a form of currency, opening up options for a new type of currency to enter the market, backed by the world’s 5th largest economy. With a large Hispanic population mostly from Mexico and in close proximity to that country, it would, in theory, be easy to form alliances and trade deals with Mexico.
In truth, with its bustling economy, California would be a significant loss for America. Think of all the technology companies located in Silicon Valley. America has reaped the benefits of innovations made there for decades. But if California were to leave, America would lose the technological edge that sets it apart from other countries.
It’s hard to guess whether other countries would take sides in this situation or if they could do anything. Ultimately, America is a powerful country that no one wants as an enemy.
