President Trump Sends Another 2,000 California National Guard Troops Into Los Angeles

President Donald Trump ordered another 2,000 California National Guard troops into Los Angeles on Monday in order to quell the still continuing ICE immigration raid protests and riots, joining thousands of other troops and law enforcement officials in the city.

The riots date back to late last week when ICE conducted a series of raids in Los Angeles resulting in 118 illegal immigrants arrested, including 5 who have either criminal histories or are part of criminal organizations. This included 44 arrests on Friday, with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President David Huerta among the most well known person in jail so far. Protests began outside ICE facilities on Thursday, with the number of protests swiftly escalating on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. These included several protests in and around downtown Los Angeles on Friday and Sunday, as well as the small city of Paramount on Saturday outside of a Home Depot.

While the LAPD and other local and state law enforcement agencies, as well as some federal authorities including U.S. Marshalls and the Border Patrol, responded, worries over a growing protest and larger scale riots prompted President Trump to personally activate the California National Guard on Saturday, the first time that a President had done that since Lyndon Johnson did in Alabama in 1965 to protect Civil Rights protesters in the famous Selma march. The initial 2,000 soldiers arrived on Sunday.

“In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Saturday. “These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States. In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens. That is why President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester. The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs. These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice. The Commander-in-Chief will ensure the laws of the United States are executed fully and completely.”

However, with protests continuing and protesters estimated to be in the thousands, the federal government swiftly ramped up operations. This included 700 Marines coming in from Camp Pendleton on Monday. This was followed up later in the day with another 2,000 National Guard troops being sent into LA.

“I was just informed Trump is deploying another 2,000 Guard troops to L.A.,” posted Newsom on X. “The first 2,000? Given no food or water. Only approx. 300 are deployed — the rest are sitting, unused, in federal buildings without orders. This isn’t about public safety. It’s about stroking a dangerous President’s ego. This is Reckless. Pointless. And Disrespectful to our troops.

“U.S. Marines have served honorably across multiple wars in defense of democracy, added Newsom later. “They are heroes. They shouldn’t be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen to fulfill the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President.”

Trying to keep up with the President, Newsom announced his own escalation less than an hour later, bringing in another 800 state and local officers to the thousands already deployed in the city.

“Chaos is exactly what Trump wanted, and now California is left to clean up the mess. We’re working with local partners to surge over 800 additional state and local law enforcement officers to ensure the safety of our LA communities,” continued Newsom.”

The additional 2,000 National Guard troops are not only a response to the continuing protests, but also to Trump’s more hardline stance on quelling the protests and riots as local law enforcement failed to reign in the illegal protests in L.A. In particular, Trump has said that he wants a more hardline “If they spit, we will hit” stance.

“”If they spit, we will hit.” This is a statement from the President of the United States concerning the catastrophic Gavin Newscum inspired Riots going on in Los Angeles,” expressed Donald Trump late on Monday. “The Insurrectionists have a tendency to spit in the face of the National Guardsmen/women, and others. These Patriots are told to accept this, it’s just the way life runs. But not in the Trump Administration. IF THEY SPIT, WE WILL HIT, and I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before. Such disrespect will not be tolerated!”

In total, dozens of protesters have been arrested so far, with an untold amount of damage included building damage, vehicle damage and vandalism occurring in some areas of the city.

It it currently unknown if more troops are to be activated and sent into the city.