The Trump administration has deployed approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles following violent clashes between California immigration authorities and protesters.
The Associated Press reported that the White House confirmed the deployment in a statement on Saturday (local time), stating it was necessary to restore order in California.
Meanwhile, California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom opposed Trump’s move, calling it “inflammatory” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote that the Republican president’s actions are provocative and will only escalate tensions.
The unrest began after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested 118 immigrants, claiming five were linked to criminal organisations and some had prior criminal records.
The situation intensified when authorities raided a garment warehouse in the Fashion District on Friday. Homeland Security Investigations and US Attorney’s Office representatives alleged the company’s hiring manager had used fraudulent documents for some employees.
Immigrant rights activists accused ICE of detaining people outside Home Depot stores and a doughnut shop.
Protests demanding the release of detainees erupted soon after. As demonstrations continued into a second day—with tear gas and smoke filling the air—the White House escalated its response, deploying Border Patrol riot control units to manage the crowds.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hinted at further military intervention in an X post, saying that if the violence continues, active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton will be deployed.
Meanwhile, Newsom’s office revealed that Trump had federalised part of California’s National Guard under “Title 10” authority, placing command under the president rather than the governor.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt defended the crackdown in a statement: “ICE’s actions during these protests are essential to stopping illegal criminals from entering and remaining in the US California’s incompetent Democratic leaders have completely failed to protect their citizens amid this violence.”
Before the troop deployment, Trump posted on Truth Social: “If Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass don’t do their jobs, the federal government will step in and fix the problem—just as we control riots and looters.”
This echoes Trump’s 2020 response to George Floyd protests, when he urged governors to deploy National Guard troops to Washington, DC, leading several states to send forces under federal orders.