Today's News: Trump Deploys National Guard To Los Angeles Immigration Protests

Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and other California Democrats criticized the decision as inflammatory and unnecessary.

Photo: Reuters/Barbara Davidson

Overview

• Date: June 7–8, 2025

• Topic: Trump’s Deployment of the National Guard Amid Los Angeles Immigration Protests

• Summary: President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to escalating protests over federal immigration raids. The move bypassed California Governor Gavin Newsom’s authority and was justified under Title 10 of the U.S. Code. Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and other California Democrats criticized the decision as inflammatory and unnecessary. Trump and administration officials defended the action as necessary to protect ICE personnel and federal property, with officials threatening possible future use of active-duty military. Legal experts and civil liberties groups have raised questions about the constitutionality and precedent of the deployment.

Sources

• The New York Times – Legal Issues Surround Trump’s Use of National Guard in LA Immigration Protests

• CNN – National Guard on the ground in LA after Trump’s deployment order

• NBC News – Trump's border czar threatens arrest for immigration interference

• NBC News – California Democrats push back on Trump's decision to mobilize the National Guard

• The Washington Post – Live updates: National Guard stages in L.A. on Trump’s order

• The Washington Post – Trump charts new territory in bypassing Newsom to deploy National Guard

• The Wall Street Journal – What to Know About the Los Angeles Protests and Trump’s Response

• Fox News – California Republicans slam Newsom, Bass for letting LA burn with riots amid Trump immigration blitz

Key Points

• Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops under Title 10 without California’s consent, citing the need to protect ICE and federal assets from violent protests.

• Federal officials and agencies, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Border Czar Tom Homan, framed the protests as threats to law enforcement and national security.

• California officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, rejected the deployment as unnecessary, legally questionable, and escalating the situation.

• Legal experts noted Trump’s avoidance of the Insurrection Act, potentially creating a new and untested precedent for federalizing state troops.

• Civil rights groups, including the ACLU and Amnesty International, criticized the move as dangerous and unconstitutional.

Unique Highlights

• The New York Times detailed the legal framework, noting Trump used Section 12406 of Title 10 rather than the Insurrection Act, creating ambiguity about troop authority.

• CNN reported on troop staging locations and confirmed at least 300 National Guard troops had already arrived, citing state and federal officials.

• NBC News quoted Tom Homan threatening potential arrests of officials like Newsom or Bass for impeding enforcement.

• NBC News reported that California Democrats attempted oversight visits to ICE facilities and were denied entry.

• The Washington Post provided eyewitness details of tear gas use, Guard deployments, and quotes from legal experts describing Trump’s legal maneuver as “uncharted.”

• The Wall Street Journal outlined the timeline of ICE arrests and noted 118 arrests, including gang members.

• Fox News emphasized conservative backlash, featuring Republican attacks on Newsom and Bass, and highlighting DHS and ICE statements about violent protester behavior.

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Contrasting Details

• Extent of Violence:

  • Fox News described events as “riots” and emphasized attacks on federal agents.

  • The Washington Post and CNN characterized most demonstrations as peaceful, with isolated incidents of violence.

• Legality and Precedent:

  • The New York Times and The Washington Post questioned the legal justification and noted the unusual use of Title 10 without invoking the Insurrection Act.

  • Fox News and NBC News echoed Trump’s claim of legal authority and stressed the legitimacy of enforcement actions.

• Portrayal of Officials:

  • Fox News and some administration voices labeled Newsom and Bass as “incompetent” or “criminally negligent.”

  • CNN, The New York Times, and NBC News presented Newsom and Bass as advocating restraint and de-escalation, highlighting constitutional concerns.

• Troop Role and Rules of Engagement:

  • The New York Times and Georgetown Law’s Steve Vladeck clarified that troops under current orders cannot conduct arrests or raids.

  • Fox News did not discuss such limitations, portraying the deployment as a necessary law enforcement response.

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