Trump Deploys National Guard Troops Amid Los Angeles Immigration Protests

President Donald Trump has deployed at least 2,000 National Guard troops under federal control to Los Angeles to quell protests sparked by immigration enforcement actions, marking a rare use of military force on U.S. soil. Trump authorized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use these troops to protect immigration officials and property, with the possibility of using regular federal troops as needed. The protests, largely peaceful until late violence, have involved clashes with police, vandalism, and some highway blockades, prompting local officials like Governor Gavin Newsom to file lawsuits against what they call Trump's unconstitutional militarized response. Trump threatened a strong law and order response even against nonviolent demonstrators, stating a willingness to deploy troops widely if he perceives a threat to the country. This federal intervention has raised legal and constitutional questions since the military is typically trained for warfare, not policing protests, and the National Guard usually falls under state control unless federalized. The situation remains tense as military presence continues and political opposition challenges the legality of the federal government's actions.