In response to escalating protests in Los Angeles following citywide ICE operations and mass arrests, former President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops under Title 10 authority, allowing federal control over state military forces.
“If Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass can’t restore order, the federal government will,” Trump posted on Truth Social, calling for swift action against “rioters and looters.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the troops’ immediate mobilization, stating that additional active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton could be deployed if the violence persists. According to the Defense Department, most of the troops will come from the California National Guard.
California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized the federal move, calling it “a deliberate escalation” that risks worsening tensions. He asserted that Los Angeles has sufficient resources and is already coordinating with state and local agencies.
Mayor Karen Bass also stated the city is in communication with Washington and working to manage the situation locally.
The legality of the federal deployment without the governor’s approval remains unclear. Title 10 allows federal use of military forces within the U.S., bypassing restrictions under the Posse Comitatus Act—but only under certain conditions.
