In a move that echoes the military intervention during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, President Donald Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to deploy to California in response to intensifying protests over immigration enforcement operations.
The order, detailed in a presidential memorandum issued Saturday, June 7, is aimed at controlling what the administration described as “numerous incidents of violence and disorder” related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions across Los Angeles County.
According to the memo, the deployment will consist of “at least 2,000 National Guard personnel,” with a duration of 60 days or more, pending decisions by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The memo also authorizes the Secretary of War to utilize “any other members of the regular Armed Forces as necessary to augment and support the protection of Federal functions and property.”
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By early Sunday morning, troops from the California National Guard’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team had already arrived in Los Angeles County.
Military vehicles and personnel were seen stationed outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in Downtown Los Angeles, a location that had been a focal point of protests in recent days.
National Guard members refused to confirm their specific unit when questioned by reporters, but U.S. Northern Command verified their arrival.
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The unrest began on Friday, June 6, following a series of aggressive immigration raids conducted by ICE and other federal agents.
Locations targeted included Home Depot stores, a fashion warehouse in Downtown Los Angeles, and various other sites in MacArthur Park, Paramount, and Compton.
Federal agents in tactical gear reportedly detained individuals at these locations, including some at scheduled immigration check-ins at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building.
The sudden enforcement actions led to dozens of arrests and immediate protests by immigration advocates, union members, and community groups.
As the protests intensified, law enforcement used tear gas and other less-lethal methods to disperse crowds. Demonstrations continued into Saturday, prompting Trump’s decision to deploy federalized troops for the first time in Los Angeles since 1992.
California Governor Gavin Newsom quickly condemned the president’s action, labeling it “purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.” He later added on social media, “This is deranged behavior.”
The governor’s sharp rebuke highlights the growing rift between federal and state officials over how to manage immigration enforcement and civil unrest.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, posting on the platform X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that additional reinforcements were under consideration.
“Marines based at Camp Pendleton are on high alert,” Hegseth wrote late Saturday, fueling speculation that the situation could escalate further.
The deployment was made under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, a legal provision that permits the federal government to mobilize the National Guard for domestic operations.
Notably, Trump stopped short of invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807, which grants the president the authority to deploy federal troops in the event of insurrection, domestic violence, or rebellion.
While comparisons are being drawn to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which followed the acquittal of officers involved in the beating of Rodney King, the current crisis centers on immigration policy and the perceived overreach of federal law enforcement.
During the 1992 riots, the California National Guard, the U.S. Army’s 7th Infantry Division, and the 1st Marine Division were all mobilized.
Though the riots lasted only a few days, National Guard troops remained in the area for nearly a month to restore order.
As of Sunday morning, National Guard personnel were seen guarding not only the Roybal Federal Building but also strategic points in Paramount, signaling a potentially prolonged military presence in the region.
Federal officials have remained firm in their stance, stating that the mobilization is necessary to secure federal operations and infrastructure.
With tensions still running high and protests likely to continue, the deployment of National Guard troops marks a significant escalation in the federal response to immigration-related unrest.
Whether this action will quell dissent or further inflame the already volatile situation remains to be seen.
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