Trump Deploys 4,700 Troops to Los Angeles Amid Immigration Protests

President Donald Trump escalated his response to protests against his immigration policies by deploying around 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles, overriding Governor Gavin Newsom's objections. The federal government justified the military presence as necessary to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and federal properties during immigration sweeps, while Newsom and critics called it a politically motivated abuse of power that inflamed tensions. California filed a lawsuit seeking to block the expanded military role, arguing that using federal troops for immigration enforcement violates federal law, with a federal judge set to decide the dispute. Experts and advocacy groups warn that this militarization of civilian protests, particularly in a sanctuary city with a large Black and Brown population, risks deepening social divisions and sets a dangerous precedent for other cities. Observers also note the president's increasing use of military symbolism and rhetoric, including a planned military parade, as part of a broader politicization of the armed forces. The situation highlights ongoing conflicts over federal authority, state rights, and civil liberties amid nationwide unrest related to immigration enforcement.