Trump Orders Fresh Troop Deployment to Los Angeles as Immigration Protest Unrest Enters Fourth Day
June 10, 2025 | Los Angeles
Tensions remain high across California as protests against a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids continue into a fourth consecutive day. In response to the escalating unrest, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to the Los Angeles area and activated 700 U.S. Marines — a move that has triggered a constitutional and political standoff with state officials.
The Pentagon confirmed the new deployments late Tuesday, emphasizing federal support amid intensifying demonstrations that began last Friday. The protests erupted after reports surfaced of aggressive ICE operations throughout Los Angeles, targeting undocumented residents and resulting in numerous detentions.
On Monday, the situation took a violent turn as police began dispersing crowds with rubber bullets. Footage from downtown LA shows chaotic scenes of protesters fleeing in all directions, with several incidents of excessive force being documented and shared on social media.
Rare Military Involvement Sparks Legal Threats
The use of U.S. Marines in domestic law enforcement has raised serious legal and ethical concerns. California Governor Gavin Newsom responded swiftly, declaring the deployment “unconstitutional” and vowing to sue the federal government if the Marines are not withdrawn.
“US Marines serve a valuable purpose for this country – defending democracy. They are not political pawns,” Newsom wrote on social media. “This is a blatant abuse of power. We will sue to stop this.”
Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have already filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for deploying the National Guard without the state’s authorization. Legal experts note that under the Posse Comitatus Act, active-duty military personnel are generally prohibited from engaging in civilian law enforcement activities without specific Congressional approval.
Trump-Newsom Feud Reaches Boiling Point
What began as a policy dispute has now escalated into a personal war of words. President Trump has used his Truth Social platform to attack both Governor Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass, calling Newsom “very incompetent” and claiming that the city would be “obliterated” without his intervention.
“The very incompetent ‘Governor,’ Gavin Newscum, and ‘Mayor,’ Karen Bass, should be saying, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP, YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL. WE WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, SIR,’” Trump wrote.
In response, Newsom fired back, labeling the President’s actions “dictatorial” and warning that they marked an “unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.” In a widely shared clip, the governor defiantly said, “Arrest me. Let’s get it over, tough guy.”
Trump escalated further on Tuesday, accusing Newsom of “spitting in the faces” of National Guard troops and warning that demonstrators would be “hit harder than they have ever been hit before.”
Nationwide Protests Gain Momentum
Los Angeles isn’t the only city seeing unrest. Demonstrations against immigration raids and mass deportations have erupted in major cities including Tampa, Boston, and Houston. Organizers across the country are calling for an immediate halt to ICE operations and an investigation into federal overreach.
International Outrage Over Media Targeting
The crackdown has drawn international criticism, particularly after footage emerged of a Los Angeles police officer firing a rubber bullet that struck Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi. The incident has prompted a stern response from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who described the footage as “horrific” and confirmed that Canberra had raised the matter with Washington.
British media also reported that one of their photographers required emergency surgery after being shot in the leg during Sunday’s demonstrations.
Military Deployment Criticized by Veterans
Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, a former National Guard commander, voiced sharp criticism of the federal response. Speaking to the BBC, he said, “This is an escalation that’s being perpetrated by the White House to be able to deploy federal troops anytime, anywhere in America.”
Honoré questioned the necessity of military involvement, pointing out that the scale of the protests was relatively contained compared to other mass gatherings in the city. “We get bigger crowds when the Dodgers win the World Series,” he remarked.
As the situation in Los Angeles develops, both the legal and political fallout from President Trump’s latest move will likely dominate national headlines in the days to come. With tensions flaring and protests spreading nationwide, the coming days could mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle between federal authority and states’ rights.
