On June 7, 2025, approximately 2,000 California National Guard troops were deployed in Los Angeles to address protests against federal immigration raids, which escalated tensions between President Donald Trump’s administration and state officials.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move, labelling it “unlawful” and accusing Trump of acting like a “dictator” in a post on X.
I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command.
We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while… pic.twitter.com/SYIy81SZdH
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 8, 2025The protests, now in their third day, began on June 15 after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested over 100 individuals in Los Angeles, including some legal residents, as part of Trump’s immigration crackdown targeting 833 migrants daily. Demonstrators, many carrying Mexican flags, clashed with police in Paramount and downtown Compton, blocking the 101 Freeway and setting vehicles, including Waymo self-driving cars, ablaze. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared some rallies “unlawful assemblies,” reporting arrests for actions like throwing concrete and bottles.
Donald Trump has manufactured a crisis and is inflaming conditions.
If he can’t solve it, we will.
To the bad actors fueling Trump’s flames — California will hold you accountable. https://t.co/QSjnHCrEOS
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 9, 2025Trump’s memorandum, issued June 16, cited “violent mobs” attacking federal agents, justifying the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops under Title 10 authority to protect federal property and personnel. Only 300 troops are currently active, per U.S. Northern Command. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that 500 Marines at Camp Pendleton are on “high alert” for potential mobilisation.
Newsom called the deployment a violation of state sovereignty, arguing that local authorities, including the LAPD and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, had the situation under control. “These are the acts of a dictator, not a President,” he posted on X, announcing a lawsuit against the administration for bypassing protocol. Legal experts, like UC Berkeley’s Erwin Chemerinsky, described the move as “chilling,” noting it’s the first time since 1965 a president federalised a state’s National Guard without gubernatorial consent.
Read: Trump Deploys 2,000 National Guard Troops to Los Angeles Amid Immigration Protests
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed Newsom, calling the deployment a “chaotic escalation” that sows fear. The White House countered, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt claiming “everyone saw the chaos and lawlessness.”
Trump’s actions, stopping short of invoking the Insurrection Act, have drawn international criticism. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged dialogue over “raids and violence.” Advocacy groups like the ACLU condemned the deployment as an “abuse of power,” planning legal action.
The protests, fueled by ICE raids targeting workplaces like Home Depot and garment factories, highlight tensions in Los Angeles, where 10.6 million residents are Hispanic or foreign-born.
Newsom urged peaceful protests and warned against violence that plays into “extremists’ traps.”
