Los Angeles, CA — June 10, 2025
Protests against federal immigration enforcement operations have continued in Los Angeles, prompting a controversial military response from the White House. President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of 700 U.S. Marines and assumed control of 2,000 California National Guard troops, in addition to 2,000 already stationed in the city, citing the need to restore order amid civil unrest.
The decision comes after a weekend of demonstrations sparked by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which resulted in property damage, looting, and more than 100 arrests. Though Monday night saw smaller, mostly peaceful protests, the increased military presence has drawn sharp criticism from California state leaders.
Federal Deployment Sparks Legal and Political Tensions
California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that the deployment of National Guard forces is unlawful without his request or consent. “This is a clear overreach and a dangerous precedent,” Newsom said, announcing he would send 800 additional state law enforcement officers to stabilize the situation independently of federal involvement.
State and city officials argue that local agencies are fully capable of handling the protests and have warned that federal intervention could escalate tensions. “The president’s actions are not only unnecessary, they’re inflammatory,” said Governor Newsom. “We are working to clean up this situation, not provoke more unrest.”
Democratic Leaders Across the U.S. Voice Concern
The deployment has been met with strong condemnation from national Democratic leaders. Representative Betty McCollum of Minnesota, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, called the move “premature and downright escalatory.” Other lawmakers fear the domestic use of military force without local consent undermines constitutional boundaries and state authority.
On Capitol Hill, political rhetoric reached a new level when Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was asked about Trump’s comment suggesting Governor Newsom should be arrested. While Johnson declined to offer legal commentary, he added, “He ought to be tarred and feathered,” further fueling partisan controversy.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Protests
Despite fears of violence, Monday evening’s demonstrations remained largely peaceful, though the heavy military presence was evident throughout the city. Protesters continue to call for the end of ICE raids and demand comprehensive immigration reform. Several advocacy groups have denounced what they describe as a militarized response to civilian activism.
Activists argue that the show of force is meant to intimidate rather than protect, while supporters of the administration claim that decisive action was needed to prevent further chaos.
Looking Ahead
As the situation unfolds, legal battles over the limits of presidential authority and state sovereignty are likely to intensify. Meanwhile, thousands of service members remain stationed across Los Angeles, raising questions about the federal government’s long-term strategy for managing civil dissent.
The Department of Defense has yet to clarify how long the deployed troops will remain in the city or under what circumstances they would be withdrawn. For now, Los Angeles finds itself at the heart of a growing national debate on law enforcement, immigration policy, and the use of military power on domestic soil.
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