LA anti-ICE protests: Amid growing unrest in Los Angeles over immigration raids, US President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 additional National Guard troops. With this, over 4,100 troops are now under federal orders to control the protests, which have entered their fourth day.
The move comes just hours after the Pentagon deployed 700 US Marines from Camp Pendleton to assist local law enforcement. These Marines, specially trained in crowd control and de-escalation, are part of a rapid-response unit called Task Force 51. Their job is to protect federal buildings and maintain order in the city.
What triggered the protests in LA?
The protests were sparked by aggressive immigration raids conducted by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) across the city. These actions have drawn widespread criticism, with protesters blocking streets and gathering near detention centres.
California sues Trump
California’s leadership, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, has strongly opposed the troop deployment. Newsom claimed that most of the previously deployed 2,000 troops were not even being used effectively. “This isn’t about safety—it’s about feeding a dangerous President’s ego,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Attorney General Bonta called the deployment “unlawful” and said it violated California’s rights as a state. On Monday, he filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in a federal court in San Francisco.
The lawsuit names President Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the US Department of Defense as defendants. It argues that Trump overstepped his powers by activating the state’s National Guard without permission. California is demanding that the order be cancelled and full control of the Guard returned to the state.
In response, the White House dismissed the legal challenge. Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly called it “pathetic,” accusing Governor Newsom of caring more about media attention than law enforcement. “Newsom should thank the President for restoring law and order,” she said.