In a dramatic escalation of tensions over federal immigration enforcement in California, President Trump has deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles, sparking widespread protests, mass arrests, and sharp rebukes from state and local leaders. The deployment, which began on Sunday, June 8, 2025, marks a rare use of federal military authority under Title 10 without the consent of a state governor, raising urgent legal and constitutional questions.
Who Was Involved?
President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of approximately 300 National Guard troops to Los Angeles. The troops were backed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who warned that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton were on high alert and could be sent in if the situation worsens.
Local officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, condemned the deployment. Law enforcement on the ground included the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and California Highway Patrol, who were tasked with managing growing unrest amid increasing federal immigration raids.
What Happened?
The protests began Friday, June 6, in response to a series of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the Los Angeles area, including locations in the Fashion District and a Home Depot parking lot. By Sunday, the demonstrations had grown significantly, fueled by the visible presence of armed National Guard troops deployed to protect federal buildings such as the Metropolitan Detention Center.
What began as peaceful demonstrations quickly escalated into chaos. Protesters blocked the 101 Freeway, set fire to several self-driving vehicles, and vandalized buildings including LAPD headquarters and the U.S. Courthouse. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades. Over the weekend, 39 people were arrested in Los Angeles, while another 60 arrests occurred in San Francisco during parallel protests.
When and Where?
The most intense events took place on Sunday, June 8, primarily in downtown Los Angeles, home to key federal infrastructure. The unrest began Friday and spread into nearby communities like Compton and Paramount by Saturday. The deployment of the National Guard on Sunday, without the governor's approval, marked a significant inflection point.
Why It Matters
This deployment represents the first time in decades that a sitting U.S. president has activated National Guard forces in a state without that governor's consent — a move reminiscent of President Lyndon Johnson's use of troops during the civil rights movement. Critics, including Governor Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, have characterized the deployment as an unconstitutional overreach and a political maneuver designed to inflame tensions and suppress dissent in a sanctuary city.
The protests themselves were sparked by deep concerns about the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, which have already led to more than 100 arrests in the Los Angeles area in just one week. As California remains a staunch sanctuary state under the California Values Act (SB 54), local authorities are prohibited from assisting in federal immigration enforcement — further fueling tensions with federal officials.
Legal and Policy Implications
At Saluja Law, we are closely monitoring the constitutional and legal implications of this unprecedented federal intervention. The use of National Guard troops under Title 10 without state authorization sets a troubling precedent for executive overreach. It undermines the balance of power between state and federal governments and places immigrant communities in even greater fear and uncertainty.
Moreover, the events unfolding in Los Angeles are a stark reminder that the legal rights of immigrants and protesters are increasingly under siege. We urge those affected by immigration enforcement actions to know their rights and to seek legal counsel immediately.
For legal assistance or questions related to immigration enforcement, detention, or protest-related arrests, contact Saluja Law for a confidential consultation.