The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Monday that former President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of an additional 2,000 members of the California National Guard to Los Angeles.
The decision comes in response to escalating protests in the city against his administration’s measures to combat illegal immigration, according to dw.com
In a statement posted on social media, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the mobilization, stating, “At the direction of the President, the Department of Defense is mobilizing an additional 2,000 California National Guard troops to be placed in federal service to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and enable federal law enforcement to safely perform their duties.”
The protests, which have drawn thousands of demonstrators, are part of a broader wave of nationwide opposition to Trump-era immigration policies, particularly increased deportations and stricter border enforcement. In Los Angeles, tensions have been mounting as protestors clash with law enforcement.
This latest move underscores the administration’s continued reliance on military support for domestic law enforcement operations, particularly in response to civil unrest related to immigration.
Critics argue that such measures risk escalating confrontations and militarizing public spaces, while supporters contend that the deployment is necessary to maintain order and ensure the safety of federal agents.
The Department of Defense did not specify how long the National Guard troops would remain in federal service, but officials indicated they would be deployed as needed to assist ICE operations and ensure the protection of government personnel and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the state of California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its decision to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles.
In its legal filing, California argues that the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops violates the state’s constitutional rights and undermines its sovereignty. The lawsuit calls for a restraining order to halt the federal mobilization, claiming that the escalation of military presence has contributed to rising tensions and unrest across the city.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that the legal action was necessary after President Donald Trump significantly increased troop numbers without adequate consultation with state authorities. “This is not just a legal issue — it’s a matter of protecting our residents and upholding the authority of the state of California,” Bonta said.
Governor Gavin Newsom also criticized the move on his official X account, writing: “A government should be accountable to its people… not military rule.” He added that California will defend those principles in court.
The lawsuit intensifies a longstanding conflict between California’s Democratic leadership and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement, state autonomy, and the limits of federal authority in domestic matters.
The case is expected to spark a broader legal and political debate over the federal government’s use of military resources in response to civil demonstrations within individual states.
