President Donald Trump is doubling down on his response to the Los Angeles immigration riots, ordering an additional 2,000 National Guard troops into the city. The deployment brings the total number of federal forces on the ground to nearly 5,000, including Marines and military police units.
The move comes as anti-ICE demonstrations have escalated into outright violence. Rioters have blocked highways, torched self-driving vehicles, and assaulted federal agents with fireworks, concrete, and bottles. Federal officers were overwhelmed until Trump invoked emergency powers to restore order.
“Without action, Los Angeles would’ve been completely overrun,” Trump said. “We’re not going to let criminals take over our cities while Democrat leaders sit on their hands.”
The President invoked the Insurrection Act to override California Governor Gavin Newsom’s refusal to cooperate—marking the first time in nearly 60 years that a president has federalized the state’s National Guard. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed troops will remain in place for at least 60 days, focused on securing federal assets and defending law enforcement personnel.
Despite fierce opposition from Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass—who called the move “illegal” and filed lawsuits to stop it—Trump has remained firm. “We’re not asking permission to protect Americans,” he said.
Trump’s critics claim the deployment politicizes the military. Supporters see it as a long-overdue stand against lawlessness and open-border chaos. The Biden-era sanctuary policies still in effect in California are being blamed by many for fueling the unrest.
With additional protests now erupting in San Francisco and other parts of the state, Trump has warned that more federal action may be coming if Democrat-run cities refuse to uphold basic law and order.
“We will not surrender America’s cities to rioters and anarchists,” Trump declared. “Not now. Not ever.”