Trump Deploys National Guard to Los Angeles Amid Immigration Protests, Clashes with Newsom

Former President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard troops and additional military support to Los Angeles following days of escalating protests sparked by federal immigration enforcement actions. The situation, which began as demonstrations against the deportation of undocumented immigrants, quickly spiraled into widespread unrest across the city.

Initially, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) downplayed the severity of the unrest. However, after two days of growing violence and disruptions, city officials formally requested assistance. On Sunday night, LAPD declared the protests in downtown Los Angeles an “unlawful assembly” after crowds refused to disperse.

“Agitators have splintered into and throughout the Downtown Area. Residents, businesses, and visitors should remain alert and report any criminal activity,” LAPD’s Central Division posted on X. “Officers are responding to several different locations to disperse crowds.”

The department later issued an official statement declaring the entire downtown area under an “unlawful assembly” order, giving law enforcement broader authority to restore control.

Despite this, California Governor Gavin Newsom insisted that the state did not require federal intervention. He criticized Trump for overstepping and characterized the deployment as political grandstanding.

“President Trump is inflaming tensions, not easing them,” Newsom said during a Monday press briefing. “The National Guard deployment is a stunt, and the order to federalize troops is unconstitutional.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded sharply, accusing Newsom of failing to maintain order.

“Governor Newsom allowed federal officers and ICE agents to be attacked by violent demonstrators waving foreign flags,” said Leavitt. “President Trump is taking decisive action to restore peace, safeguard federal properties, and protect law-abiding citizens.”

Leavitt also claimed that law enforcement had been overwhelmed during the weekend’s peak demonstrations, forcing federal authorities to step in. According to officials, many of the protesters clashed with police and immigration agents, resulting in multiple arrests and injuries.

In response, Trump ordered 2,000 California National Guard troops to be federalized and deployed to support local law enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that these forces would reinforce security at federal buildings, assist police operations, and help protect peaceful demonstrators from violent outbreaks.

By late Monday, an additional 700 U.S. Marines with specialized training in crowd control and de-escalation tactics were dispatched to the region by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. These troops will serve in a support role, working alongside both the Guard and LAPD to stabilize the situation.

Despite growing criticism, the Trump administration defended its legal grounds for deploying the Guard. As commander-in-chief, the president holds broad constitutional and statutory powers to federalize National Guard forces in emergencies that threaten public safety or federal interests.

Newsom, however, remains defiant. “This is exactly what Donald Trump wants,” he posted on social media. “He’s using this crisis to test his authority and provoke confrontation. The executive order he signed could set a dangerous precedent for federal intervention in any state.”

Newsom announced that California would pursue legal action, claiming that Trump’s order violates state sovereignty.

The feud between Trump and Newsom intensified further when Trump, during a White House press Q&A, addressed a challenge issued by the governor on national television. Newsom had publicly dared federal immigration chief Tom Homan to arrest him over his defense of undocumented immigrants.

Asked by Fox News Correspondent Peter Doocy if Homan should take Newsom up on the challenge, Trump replied, “If I were Tom, I’d do it. Gavin likes attention, but he’s also been completely incompetent. Just look at the train project in California. It’s a disaster, way over budget.”

Trump added that while he personally “likes Gavin,” he believes the governor is “failing the people of California.”

As the situation continues to unfold, law enforcement remains on high alert throughout Los Angeles. Officials stress that their focus is on public safety and de-escalation, but they remain prepared to respond swiftly to any acts of violence or threats to federal facilities.

Whether Trump’s actions will lead to lasting calm or further political and legal confrontation remains to be seen. For now, the streets of Los Angeles are under military watch, as the nation watches the standoff between federal and state power unfold in real time.