Trump sends over 2,000 National Guards & 700 Marines to quell immigration protests in Los Angeles

U.S. President Donald Trump has authorised the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to quell the immigration protests in Los Angeles.

The news came just as the U.S. military confirmed that it is activating 700 Marines in Los Angeles.

What happened

Friday: Tension brewed

Tension has been brewing since Friday (Jun. 6) when protests broke out against a series of immigration raids by the Trump administration, according to New York Times.

Federal agents were raiding workplaces to search for suspected undocumented immigrants as part of Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

They were met with protesters who threw eggs at them, officers used pepper spray and rubber bullets to disperse them.

Saturday: Tension escalated, Trump signed memo to deploy National Guard troops

Tension continued to escalate on Saturday.

Saturday morning (Jun. 7) saw confrontations between protesters and law enforcement officers in Paramount, a city about 32 km from Los Angeles, amid rumours that immigration authorities planned to raid a Home Depot in the area, according to New York Times.

Amid escalating tension, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department ordered protesters to disperse and warned that they might face arrest or be subjected to the use of force if they failed to comply.

On the same day (Jun. 7), U.S. President Donald Trump signed a memo ordering at least 2,000 National Guard troops to protect federal officers conducting immigration operations.

He said that the deployed military personnel may perform military protective activities deemed necessary to ensure the protection and safety of the federal officers.

Trump added that any form of protest, that "directly inhibit the execution of the laws", constitutes “rebellion against authority”.

Sunday: First of at least 2,000 National Guard troops arrived in Los Angeles

The first of at least 2,000 National Guard personnel arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday morning (Jun. 8).

Los Angeles police shared on X that “multiple people have been detained for failing to disperse after multiple warnings were issued”.

More than 150 people have been arrested in Los Angeles since Friday, according to New York Times, citing U.S. officials.

Monday: California officials filed federal lawsuit against Trump administration

On Monday (Jun. 9), California officials filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over the mobilisation of the National Guard troops, Los Angeles Times reported.

They accused Trump of violating his federal authority and breaching the U.S. Constitution.

California Governor Gavin Newsom alleged that Trump is instigating chaos in the streets for political purposes.

On the same day, another 2,000 National Guard personnel, along with 700 Marines, were deployed to Los Angeles on orders from Trump, AP news reported.

Trump defended his decision to deploy National Guard troops to quell the protests on his Truth Social, saying that if "[they] had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated".

Top image via White House and Apu Gomes/AFP