Is This Legal? Guard DEPLOYED Without OK

President Trump deploys 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles as anti-ICE protests spiral into violent chaos, creating a constitutional showdown with Governor Newsom who vows legal action.

At a Glance

  • Anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles escalated into riots with protesters blocking freeways, torching self-driving cars, and causing widespread damage
  • Trump invoked federal law to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops without California Governor Newsom’s approval
  • Newsom called Trump’s deployment “illegal” and “immoral,” threatening to sue the administration
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Marines from Camp Pendleton are on high alert if National Guard cannot restore order
  • Police have made dozens of arrests as violence continues to spread across the city

Chaos in the City of Angels

Los Angeles has descended into chaos as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations have spiraled into full-scale riots. Demonstrators blocked major freeways, vandalized and set fire to self-driving Waymo vehicles, and clashed violently with law enforcement. Downtown LA was declared an “unlawful assembly” area after three days of escalating unrest. Police have deployed tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs to control crowds that have grown increasingly hostile, resulting in injuries to several officers and protesters alike.

The violence has spread beyond mere demonstrations, with reports of fires, fireworks, and looting across the city. Debris and anti-government graffiti now litter downtown streets. In one particularly disturbing incident, a van drove into a group of protesters, injuring several people before the driver was arrested. Foreign journalists have not been spared in the chaos, with an Australian reporter and a British photographer sustaining injuries from non-lethal rounds fired by law enforcement attempting to maintain order.

Trump Overrides Newsom in Unprecedented Move

President Trump’s decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles represents a dramatic escalation in federal response and a rare constitutional confrontation with state authorities. Trump invoked a provision of the US Code of Armed Services to “federalize” the National Guard without Governor Gavin Newsom’s request or approval – the first such action since 1965. The troops have been tasked with protecting federal buildings, including a downtown detention center, and restoring order to a city that local police admit has overwhelmed their resources.

Governor Newsom has responded with fierce opposition, calling Trump’s deployment “an illegal act, an immoral act, an unconstitutional act.” He has threatened legal action against the administration, setting up a potential showdown in the courts over federal versus state authority. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell reported his forces were “overwhelmed” by protesters, some of whom turned violent, throwing Molotov cocktails and even ramming a motorcycle into officers. The unrest comes after ICE arrested 118 unauthorized immigrants, sparking the initial protests. 

White House Warns of Escalating Response

The White House has defended Trump’s actions, placing blame squarely on Governor Newsom’s leadership for the deteriorating situation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the administration’s zero tolerance for violence against law enforcement. In perhaps the most ominous development, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has indicated that if the National Guard cannot control the situation, active duty Marines stationed at nearby Camp Pendleton are on high alert and ready for mobilization.

Hegseth’s characterization of the violence as a “national security risk facilitated by criminal cartels” signals the administration’s perspective that this is more than a local law enforcement matter. Critics, including Jose Barrera of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), have warned that deploying troops will only increase tensions. With dozens of arrests already made and no immediate signs of de-escalation, Los Angeles faces an uncertain path forward as federal forces attempt to restore order to a city in turmoil.

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