With protests erupting nationwide over aggressive immigration crackdowns, Trump’s military deployment sparks a legal and political firestorm in California.
LOS ANGELES, June 11 (Reuters):
In a dramatic escalation of federal force, hundreds of U.S. Marines are undergoing riot control training just outside Los Angeles and will be deployed into the city soon, as protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration raids continue to spread across the country.
The deployment has triggered a fierce debate over the use of the military on American soil, especially since it comes against the objections of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Speaking at a press briefing, U.S. Army Major General Scott Sherman confirmed the Marines would be deployed “soon,” though not on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott became the first state leader to follow Trump’s lead, announcing the deployment of National Guard troops to cities including San Antonio ahead of scheduled demonstrations.
Nationwide protests have flared up in cities like New York, Atlanta, and Chicago, with demonstrators denouncing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and frequently clashing with local police. Downtown Los Angeles, which saw five consecutive days of unrest, is now under a strict curfew. Multiple arrests were reported after groups defied the new order.
The situation is expected to intensify this Saturday, coinciding with Trump’s planned military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and his 79th birthday. Activist groups under the banner “No Kings” have announced more than 1,800 coordinated protests nationwide, targeting what they call the militarization of American democracy.
Trump defended the troop deployment, stating it prevented the protests from spiraling into uncontrollable violence — a claim that Governor Newsom strongly refuted.
“This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president inflamed a combustible situation,” Newsom said in a televised address. “It put citizens, officers, and even our National Guard at risk.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed these concerns, calling the deployment unnecessary. While protests have remained largely peaceful, a few incidents of looting prompted a limited curfew and heavy police presence downtown.
On Monday, Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the legality of the troop deployment. Trump fired back by suggesting Newsom himself should be arrested.
Protecting ICE Operations
The 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines have been tasked with protecting federal buildings and ICE officers during operations — but they do not have arrest authority, according to military sources. Still, ICE released photos of National Guard troops armed and standing guard during a recent raid in Los Angeles.
Legal experts have raised concerns. California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned that this deployment might violate the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits U.S. military involvement in civilian law enforcement.
“If they’re there to protect ICE during raids, that’s a legal red flag,” Bonta stated.
Tensions at a Flashpoint
The standoff in Los Angeles has emerged as the most volatile moment yet in Trump’s campaign to deport undocumented immigrants. ICE claims it is now arresting 2,000 people per day, compared to an average of 311 daily under the Biden administration in 2024.
In a high-profile raid on Tuesday, 75–80 workers were detained at Glenn Valley Foods in Omaha, Nebraska, marking the largest workplace immigration enforcement action in the state under Trump.
Mass Protests Ahead
As Trump prepares to roll tanks through D.C. for his military celebration, the “No Kings” coalition — a network of over 100 civil rights groups — has pledged peaceful protests denouncing authoritarianism and corporate-driven policies.
“We’re standing against billionaire-first politics and the militarization of our democracy,” their statement read.
Trump, however, issued a stern warning: “Any protests at the parade will be met by very big force.”
Tags:
Donald Trump, U.S. Marines, National Guard, Los Angeles protests, ICE raids, Gavin Newsom, immigration law, military deployment, civil rights, No Kings coalition, U.S. Army anniversary, military parade, federal troops, immigration enforcement, Posse Comitatus Act, Karen Bass
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#Trump #LosAngeles #ImmigrationRaids #NationalGuard #USMarines #GavinNewsom #CivilRights #NoKings #MilitaryParade #ICE #Protests2025 #USPolitics #StopTheRaids #Authoritarianism