LOS ANGELES – Tensions reached a boiling point in Los Angeles on Sunday as President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to the city in response to widespread protests triggered by aggressive federal immigration raids. The move has ignited a fresh political and legal storm, with California state officials condemning the decision as unconstitutional and inflammatory.
The protests, which began last week following a series of mass detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), quickly spread across several neighborhoods including Compton, East LA, and downtown, with demonstrators decrying what they called “militarized immigration enforcement.” Clashes broke out over the weekend between demonstrators and law enforcement, with police deploying tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbangs in efforts to control large crowds. At least 44 individuals were arrested during the raids, with another 10 apprehended during the demonstrations.
In a statement released from the White House, President Trump said the deployment was necessary “to restore law and order in a sanctuary state that has failed to protect its own citizens from the chaos caused by illegal immigration.” The troops, drawn from California’s National Guard but federalized under Title 10 authority, were deployed without the consent of Governor Gavin Newsom, sparking immediate legal and political backlash.
Governor Newsom, visibly angered during a press conference at the State Capitol in Sacramento, described the federal action as “an overreach and a direct assault on state sovereignty.” He confirmed that the state would challenge the move in court, accusing the president of using immigration tensions for political gain. “The people of California will not be intimidated. We will defend our constitution, our people, and our rights under federalism,” the governor stated.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also condemned the federal intervention, warning it could further escalate tensions rather than resolve them. “This is not the solution. What we need is dialogue, reform, and community safety—not the presence of troops on our streets,” she said.
Legal experts have noted that the deployment, while not enacted under the Insurrection Act, still pushes the boundaries of federal authority. By using Title 10, the president bypassed the traditional requirement of state approval, a move that may face significant judicial scrutiny in the coming days.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that additional federal assets, including Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton, remain on standby should the unrest intensify. “The president is prepared to take further action if the violence escalates or if state authorities continue to obstruct federal immigration law,” Hegseth said during a Pentagon briefing.
The protests began after ICE agents conducted a series of coordinated raids across immigrant communities, targeting individuals with outstanding deportation orders. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic, with families separated and several minors reportedly left unaccompanied during the enforcement operations.
Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU and United We Dream, have condemned both the raids and the military response, calling for immediate congressional hearings into the legality and humanitarian impact of the actions.
As the city of Los Angeles remains under heightened security, the clash between state and federal powers continues to unfold, with national implications for immigration enforcement, federalism, and the use of military force on domestic soil.
