Trump Sends More 2,000 Guard Troops and 700 Marines to LA/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump has ordered 2,000 more National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles amid protests over immigration raids. California officials strongly oppose the deployment, calling it unconstitutional and politically motivated. Tensions remain high after three days of demonstrations and increasing federal involvement.
National Guard in Los Angeles: Quick Looks
- Trump authorizes 2,000 more Guard troops, 700 Marines for LA
- Deployment comes after ICE raids spark days of protest
- California AG sues Trump over “illegal” Guard mobilization
- Mayor Bass and Gov. Newsom call the move provocative
- Police chief warns of logistical strain, limited coordination
- Monday protests mostly peaceful, but arrests reported
- Trump claims LA would be “obliterated” without federal action
- Guard deployment seen as major federal-state power clash
Deep Look: Trump Escalates Guard Presence in LA Amid Immigration Protests, California Pushes Back
Los Angeles– President Donald Trump has ordered an additional 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, intensifying a controversial federal response to ongoing protests sparked by immigration raids across the city. The deployment, which local and state leaders strongly oppose, marks one of the largest domestic military operations in recent U.S. history carried out without the consent of a state governor.
From Raids to Reinforcements
The protests began Friday after federal agents conducted sweeping workplace raids, arresting more than 40 people in what authorities described as targeted enforcement. The raids drew widespread condemnation from immigrant rights groups and labor unions, culminating in three days of unrest. Sunday saw the most intense clashes, with protesters setting fires and blocking major roadways, prompting the initial deployment of 2,000 Guard troops.
On Monday, demonstrations calmed significantly, with large but peaceful rallies around City Hall and outside federal detention facilities. Nonetheless, Trump doubled down with a second wave of troop deployments.
“This isn’t about public safety — it’s about stroking a dangerous president’s ego,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom, calling the military presence “reckless” and “disrespectful to our troops.”
Legal Challenge and Political Fallout
California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit challenging the deployment, arguing that Trump violated state sovereignty by mobilizing the California National Guard without authorization. Bonta is seeking a restraining order to halt further deployments and to declare the president’s action unlawful.
“We don’t take lightly the president abusing his authority,” Bonta said Monday. “This is an unprecedented federal overreach.”
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the move as a “deliberate attempt to sow chaos” and called for an immediate halt to immigration raids.
Despite Trump’s claims that the Guard prevented the city from being “completely obliterated,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said his department could manage the protests on its own. He warned that the unexpected arrival of Marines created serious logistical and operational issues.
Peaceful Protests and Isolated Clashes
Monday’s demonstrations were largely calm. Thousands rallied in support of union leader David Huerta, who was released on bond after being arrested Friday. Religious leaders, organizers, and civil rights groups joined protesters outside detention centers, chanting “Free them all” and forming human chains.
As the day wore on, tension grew near federal buildings where National Guard troops and DHS agents stood guard. Police began dispersing protesters with crowd-control munitions and made arrests during a tense standoff in Little Tokyo.
Marine and Guard Roles Still Unclear
A U.S. official speaking anonymously said Marines were deployed to protect federal personnel and property, including ICE officers. The Guard’s exact role remains limited, with no direct engagement reported so far, but their visible presence is intensifying fears and inflaming tensions.
This deployment may mark the first such federal override of a governor’s authority since 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to Alabama during the civil rights movement. Trump cited a federal law allowing intervention during times of rebellion — a justification critics call politically driven and legally questionable.
Human Impact and Emotional Toll
At a protest outside a garment warehouse where immigration arrests occurred, relatives of detained workers demanded their release. Jacob Vasquez, a 35-year-old father, was among those taken.
“Jacob is the only one providing for his family,” said his brother Gabriel, who withheld his last name for fear of retaliation.
So far, dozens of protesters have been arrested, including one individual accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail and another who allegedly rammed a motorcycle into police.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.