President Trump has invoked federal authority to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid escalating protests, directly countering Governor Gavin Newsom’s claims that such actions would trigger “civil war in the streets.”
Key Takeaways
- President Trump authorized 2,000 additional National Guard troops to Los Angeles following violent protests against immigration raids that included blocked freeways and burning vehicles.
- Trump’s unprecedented deployment marks the first time in decades that a state’s National Guard has been federalized without the governor’s request, using legal provisions for cases of rebellion.
- Governor Newsom and California officials plan to sue the administration, calling the deployment “illegal and immoral,” while Trump asserts Newsom himself is exacerbating tensions.
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass opposed the federal intervention, claiming the situation was peaceful before immigration enforcement actions began.
- The Pentagon has also deployed approximately 700 Marines to protect federal property and personnel in Los Angeles as protests continue.
Trump Takes Decisive Action Against California Chaos
In a bold assertion of federal authority, President Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles following days of escalating protests and violence triggered by recent immigration enforcement actions. The decision comes after demonstrations intensified with protesters blocking major freeways, setting self-driving cars ablaze, and vandalizing federal buildings including LAPD Headquarters and the U.S. Courthouse. Law enforcement has been forced to use tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bangs to control increasingly unruly crowds that formed in response to ICE operations that resulted in over 40 arrests.
This deployment marks a significant break in federal-state relations, as Trump invoked Section 12406 of U.S. law, allowing him to federalize a state’s National Guard during emergencies without gubernatorial approval. The White House justified this rare move by citing rebellion against federal authority and ongoing threats to public safety. In addition to the National Guard activation, the Pentagon has deployed approximately 700 Marines to protect federal property and personnel throughout the city, highlighting the administration’s concerns about the deteriorating situation on the ground.
Newsom’s “Civil War” Claims Rejected
When questioned about Governor Newsom’s inflammatory assertion that his administration is seeking “civil war on the streets,” President Trump forcefully rejected the accusation, turning it back on the California governor. “No, it’s the opposite. I don’t want a civil war. Civil war would happen if you left it to people like him,” said Donald Trump. This direct rebuttal underscores the deep political divide between the federal administration and California’s leadership as tensions continue to mount over immigration enforcement policy and federal jurisdiction.
“No, it’s the opposite. I don’t want a civil war. Civil war would happen if you left it to people like him,” Said Donald Trump.
Governor Newsom has been vocal in his opposition, calling the deployment “disrespectful to our troops” and claiming, “This isn’t about public safety. It’s about stroking a dangerous President’s ego.” California’s resistance extends beyond rhetoric, with Attorney General Rob Bonta announcing plans to sue the Trump administration over what he describes as an abuse of presidential authority. “We don’t take lightly to the president abusing his authority and unlawfully mobilizing California National Guard troops,” Bonta stated as he prepared legal challenges to the federal action.
Sanctuary Policies Under Scrutiny
The confrontation between federal and state authorities has brought California’s sanctuary policies into sharp relief. The California Values Act, which prevents local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration activities, has been cited by critics as enabling the current crisis by hampering coordination between different levels of government. While Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell reported 39 arrests over the weekend, the limited cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities remains a contentious issue at the heart of this enforcement dispute.
“He’s exacerbated the conditions. These are images that Donald Trump created,” Said Gavin Newsom.
The unrest has spread beyond Los Angeles, with similar protests erupting in San Francisco where authorities made 60 arrests and reported two officer injuries. The scale of these demonstrations highlights growing resistance to the administration’s immigration enforcement priorities in progressive strongholds. However, some California lawmakers support the president’s actions, including Republican Representative Kevin Kiley, who emphasized the legitimate risks to public safety that prompted federal intervention. As the situation develops, the deployment showcases President Trump’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws despite opposition from local and state officials who have long prioritized protecting illegal immigrants over public safety.
