President Donald Trump has escalated the federal response to protests in Los Angeles, ordering an additional 2,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines to the city. The move comes amid widespread demonstrations following aggressive immigration enforcement actions across Southern California.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticised the deployment on X, formerly Twitter, calling it “reckless” and “disrespectful to our troops.” Newsom added, “This isn’t about public safety. It’s about stroking a dangerous President’s ego.”
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell also raised concerns, warning that the arrival of Marines without prior coordination poses a “significant logistical and operational challenge” to local law enforcement efforts.
Legal Grounds Cited by Trump for Federal Deployment
On Saturday, Trump invoked a federal statute that permits the use of armed forces during instances of rebellion or threats to governmental authority. This legal provision has rarely been used in modern times.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Monday that the state is filing a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that the deployment violates California’s sovereignty. “President Trump has trampled the state’s sovereignty,” Bonta said.
Protests Continue Across Los Angeles and Beyond
Demonstrations began Friday after U.S. immigration authorities arrested more than 40 people in workplace raids throughout Los Angeles. By Monday, thousands gathered at City Hall for a peaceful rally, while others protested outside a federal detention facility.
Sunday saw more disruptive actions, including the blocking of a major freeway and the burning of autonomous vehicles. Police responded with crowd control measures, including rubber bullets and tear gas.
Nationwide Unrest and Federal Justification
Federal officials stated that the Marines were deployed to secure federal facilities and personnel, including immigration enforcement agents. Trump defended his decision, stating, “Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated if I had not deployed the National Guard.”
Protests have expanded to other cities, including San Francisco, Santa Ana, Dallas, and Austin. In Santa Ana, local police confirmed that National Guard troops have been stationed at federal sites. Texas Governor Greg Abbott reported over a dozen protest-related arrests.
Arrests and Historical Precedent
Over the weekend, authorities in Los Angeles arrested several dozen individuals. Among the charges were assaulting law enforcement officers, including one incident involving a Molotov cocktail and another with a motorbike used against a police line.
According to the Brennan Centre for Justice, this is the first time since 1965 that National Guard troops have been deployed without a governor’s consent. The last occurrence was under President Lyndon B. Johnson during civil rights protests in Alabama.
