By Sama Marwan,
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has announced its decision to deploy approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to the city of Los Angeles, in a move aimed at controlling the unrest and protests that erupted following large-scale raids carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This measure comes amid growing tensions in the city, triggered by public backlash against federal immigration enforcement practices, which have sparked massive protests in several parts of Los Angeles.
The Pentagon issued a warning about the potential need to call in regular Marine Corps forces to the city should violence and unrest escalate. These troops have been placed on high alert at Camp Pendleton, located near the city. This step underscores the seriousness with which the U.S. administration is approaching any potential riots or violence that may arise from the demonstrations opposing current immigration policies.
In Paramount, a neighborhood in southeast Los Angeles, clashes broke out between federal law enforcement and hundreds of protesters who took to the streets to denounce the raids. Some demonstrators waved Mexican flags in solidarity with immigrants affected by the operations. Meanwhile, protests continued downtown throughout the night, with around 60 demonstrators participating — a sign of the ongoing public outrage and its spread across different parts of the city.
In an official statement, the White House announced that President Trump signed a presidential memorandum authorizing the deployment of federal forces to Los Angeles to “address the prolonged chaos that has not been adequately dealt with.” The National Guard began operations in the city last Saturday, with the mission of maintaining law and order.
On the other hand, California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly opposed the move, calling it a “deliberate provocation” lacking any genuine necessity. Newsom urged all citizens to exercise their right to peaceful protest without resorting to violence or vandalism, emphasizing the importance of respecting the law during this sensitive period.
Meanwhile, President Trump responded on his official platform, Truth Social, warning California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass against neglecting their public safety duties. He stated that the federal government would intervene firmly and directly to deal with riots and looting if local authorities failed to take responsibility for maintaining security and order within the city.
These developments highlight the complexity of the conflict between federal and local policies on immigration and reflect the deep political and social divisions facing the United States on this issue — amid rising tension and ongoing popular protests that continue to challenge government actions on the ground.
