President Trump has sent thousands of troops into Los Angeles under the guise of immigration enforcement, sparking legal battles, protests in dozens of cities, and growing concern that federal power is being used to target immigrant communities and silence dissent.
What began as a series of ICE raids last week has escalated into a standoff, with Marines patrolling city streets, protesters facing rubber bullets and tear gas, and California’s governor accusing Trump of inciting chaos on purpose.
The Situation
It started with aggressive workplace raids in Los Angeles carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE officers detained people in broad daylight, prompting widespread protests across the city.
Protests remained mostly peaceful, but the federal government still responded with force. Trump sent 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops into Los Angeles, over the objections of Governor Newsom, who says the deployment is illegal and dangerous.
In addition to being peaceful, protests were largely concentrated in a small downtown area. But the federal response has escalated the situation. The LAPD has arrested over 200 people in a single night.
Meanwhile, ICE posted photos online showing National Guard troops standing guard while migrants were arrested, which reinforces what many already suspected: that the military isn’t just controlling protesters, it’s helping ICE carry out enforcement.
California’s Response To The Protests
In a video address, California Governor Gavin Newsom accused Trump of fanning the flames of protest intentionally and described the military presence as abuse of power.
According to Major General Scott Sherman, the troops don’t have arrest authority but do have power to detain people until police arrive. California Attorney General Rob Bonta says this move may violate the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act; Newsom and Bonta have filed a lawsuit and requested a restraining order to block the deployment.
This Isn’t Just About California
Behind all of this is a massive escalation in immigration enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security says ICE has been averaging 2,000 arrests per day recently, a huge jump from around 300 per day under Biden.
What’s happening in Los Angeles is now spreading across the country. Protests have erupted in cities including New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Austin. Organizers are planning 1,800 anti-Trump demonstrations this Saturday, timed to coincide with Trump’s 79th birthday and a military parade in Washington, D.C.
The Los Angeles crackdown is the most visible, but it’s a warning to every state. Trump is testing the limits of federal power and daring anyone to stop him. He’s using the military to assist immigration raids, detain civilians, and intimidate political opponents, all while threatening to arrest a sitting governor for speaking out.
Trump said the protests wouldn’t have happened if ICE had been allowed to operate freely. He even “joked” that Newsom should be arrested, while House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to condemn the idea, instead saying Newsom should be “tarred and feathered.”
Where We Stand on Protests
Trump’s deployment of troops isn’t preventing violence; it’s contributing to it. We support those protesting peacefully, we support California’s legal fight, and we stand with every immigrant family facing this wave of aggression.
If you’re impacted or need legal support, we’re here to help.
Protesting as a non-citizen? Make sure you Know Your Rights.
More about the ICE Raids: ICE Raids Spark Fear And Raise Questions
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