Los Angeles, , June 10, 2025 – The Europe Today: President Donald Trump on Monday ordered the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, intensifying a federal military presence amid ongoing protests over his administration’s immigration policies. The decision has sparked criticism from local officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who argue the move is unnecessary and potentially destabilizing.
This follows the arrival of the first 2,000 Guard members on Sunday, the same day that saw the most violent demonstrations in three consecutive days of unrest. The protests were ignited by outrage over federal immigration enforcement actions, including workplace raids and the detention of migrants, which critics say are tearing apart families.
Although Monday’s protests were largely peaceful, with thousands rallying at City Hall and hundreds gathering outside a federal detention center, tensions remain high. Smoldering remnants from the previous night’s unrest — including burned self-driving cars and a major freeway blockage — served as stark reminders of the weekend’s volatility.
Trump has painted a grim picture of the situation in Los Angeles, a depiction that both Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass have strongly rejected. They maintain that local law enforcement is capable of managing the demonstrations without federal intervention and accuse the President of politicizing the crisis.
“This isn’t about public safety,” Governor Newsom said. “It’s about stroking a dangerous President’s ego.”
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell expressed concern over the lack of coordination with military personnel. “The arrival of Marines without prior coordination presents a significant logistical and operational challenge,” he said in a statement, reaffirming confidence in the LAPD’s ability to manage large-scale protests.
According to U.S. officials, the Marines are being deployed to protect federal property and personnel, including immigration enforcement agents. The National Guard troops are being placed on active duty, with deployment logistics still underway. One official noted that while the order had been signed, it may take a day or two for troop movements to be fully realized.
So far, interactions between federal troops and protesters have been limited, with local police continuing to manage crowd control and maintain order.
The evolving situation has reignited debate over the use of military forces in civilian contexts and underscored the ongoing divide between federal and local authorities in response to national protests.
