10
Loading video...
By Jordan King and Shane Croucher
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump called for more troops to enter Los Angeles amid rioting in the Californian city that stemmed from protests against immigration enforcement.
The Republican president is deploying 2,000 California National Guard troops to L.A. to quell turmoul on the streets, despite opposition from Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
Of those, about 300 National Guard troops were on the ground by Sunday morning, Newsom's office told ABC News.
Read More on Politics
"Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!" President Trump posted to his Truth Social platform in the early hours of Monday morning.
Why It Matters
Protesters have been demonstrating against the Trump administration's ICE raids in the city. Hundreds of protesters and federal immigration authorities in riot gear have clashed for three nights running.
The clashes highlight deepening conflicts between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal immigration policy, as Trump has implemented sweeping changes through executive orders and utilized the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expand deportation authority.
...
What To Know
Newsom would ordinarily have control over California's National Guard, but Trump federalized part of the troops to "address the lawlessness." The president used Title 10 authority, which makes him the commander of the National Guard instead of the governor, Newsom's office said.
Federal military forces are generally not allowed to be used for civilian law enforcement unless there is an emergency, usually determined with an 18th-century wartime law called the Insurrection Act.
This law can be used in three circumstances: if America is invaded or in danger of invasion, when there is a rebellion, or danger of a rebellion, against the U.S. government and when the President is "unable to execute the law" with normal forces.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened to deploy active-duty Marines "if violence continues," while troops from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team arrived with long guns and armored vehicles.
What People Are Saying
California Governor Gavin Newsom on X following the National Guard announcement: "The federal government is moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers. That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions. L.A. authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment's notice. We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need."
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday night: "If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can't do their jobs, which everyone knows they can't, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on X: "We will always protect the constitutional right for Angelenos to peacefully protest. However, violence, destruction and vandalism will not be tolerated in our City and those responsible will be held fully accountable."
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem on Face the Nation on Sunday: "If he [Newsom] was doing his job, people wouldn't have gotten hurt the last couple of days. We wouldn't have officers with a shattered wrist from bricks thrown through their vehicles, vehicles being burned, flags burned in the street and Molotov cocktails being thrown."
Border czar Tom Homan on Fox News on Saturday said: "We're already mobilizing. We're gonna bring the National Guard in tonight and we're gonna continue doing our job. This is about enforcing the law."
He added: "American people, this is about enforcing the law, and again, we're not going to apologize for doing it."
What Happens Next
National Guard troops are expected to play a limited, supporting role to protect ICE officers as they enforce the law, according to the Associated Press.
Trump has not invoked the Insurrection Act – an 18th century a wartime law which allows the president to activate the military or National Guard during times of unrest. If he does this, the role of National Guard troops would likely escalate.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete has said that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton could also be mobilized. "They are on high alert," he said on X on Saturday evening.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines