Los Angeles: California Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles as unlawful, following escalating protests over President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy.
On Sunday, hundreds of California National Guard troops were stationed around federal buildings in downtown Los Angeles, where protests had intensified for a third consecutive day. The unrest, sparked by widespread immigration raids, prompted confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement. Several protests were declared “unlawful assemblies” by the Los Angeles Police Department after some participants reportedly hurled bottles, concrete chunks, and other objects at officers.
In a dramatic turn, video footage captured scenes of several self-driving Waymo vehicles engulfed in flames. Police deployed officers on horseback to disperse the crowds, and multiple arrests were made. Protesters, many carrying Mexican flags, also blocked major roads including the 101 Freeway, a vital artery in the heart of Los Angeles.
Rallies were organized by several groups, including the Los Angeles chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which held a demonstration outside City Hall. Protesters held signs denouncing immigration policies and called for an end to the deportation raids.
Governor Newsom responded forcefully, stating that the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles County had been done without proper authorization. “These are the acts of a dictator, not a President,” Newsom posted on X, accusing Trump of violating California’s sovereignty and attempting to “manufacture a crisis”.
The White House defended the move, saying in a statement, “everyone saw the chaos, violence and lawlessness.”
Footage from downtown Los Angeles showed about a dozen National Guard members alongside Department of Homeland Security agents attempting to push back protesters near a federal building. U.S. Northern Command confirmed that 300 Guard members had been deployed to three zones in the Los Angeles area, with their mission described as limited to protecting federal assets.
President Trump characterized the protesters as “violent, insurrectionist mobs” on social media and said he had directed federal agencies “to take all such action necessary” to quell what he described as “riots”. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, Trump threatened retaliatory action against demonstrators who acted aggressively toward police or Guard troops, saying, “they spit, we hit.” He stopped short of invoking the Insurrection Act but stated, “it depends on whether or not there’s an insurrection.”
The FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information related to an incident in Paramount, where a federal officer was injured by rock-throwing demonstrators.
Military Tensions and Federal Pushback
Amid rising tensions, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is prepared to activate additional troops if violence escalates. Around 500 Marines from Camp Pendleton are reportedly on standby, and U.S. Northern Command confirmed they are on “high alert.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the federal government’s response. “I don’t want people to fall into the chaos that I believe is being created by the administration completely unnecessarily,” she said during a press conference. Still, she also condemned violent protest tactics.
Vanessa Cárdenas, executive director of the immigration advocacy group America’s Voice, accused the Trump administration of “trumping up an excuse to abuse power, and deliberately stoke and force confrontations around immigration.”
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem insisted the Guard’s presence was to protect peaceful demonstrators and ensure the safety of federal buildings and personnel.
Trump has pledged to deport record numbers of undocumented immigrants and expand enforcement efforts, directing ICE to detain at least 3,000 people per day. But the crackdown has reportedly ensnared some lawful residents as well, sparking legal challenges and widespread fear within immigrant communities.
International Reaction and Legal Gray Area
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the United States for using raids and force to address immigration. “The phenomenon will not be addressed with raids or violence,” she said at a public event. “It will be by sitting down and working on comprehensive reform.”
Trump’s legal basis for the National Guard deployment cites Title 10 of the U.S. Code. However, this federal law stipulates that such orders should be issued through the governors of the states. It remains unclear whether Trump had the authority to override Governor Newsom and directly deploy the troops.
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Title 10 permits National Guard deployments under federal authority in the event of a rebellion or threat to U.S. government authority. Even then, the troops are restricted from engaging in standard law enforcement roles. A memo from Trump’s office states that the National Guard will be used to “temporarily protect ICE and other United States Government personnel… and protect Federal property.”
As tensions continue, the legality and political consequences of the deployment are likely to provoke further debate at both state and federal levels.
