Trump Deploys National Guard to Los Angeles Amid Protests

President Donald Trump's decision to deploy thousands of National Guard troops and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles in response to violent protests over Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations has garnered majority public support, with polling showing 52% approval of the deployment and 57% backing ICE's efforts to arrest illegal immigrants. Congressional Republicans broadly endorsed Trump's actions, praising his intervention where local officials, including Democratic Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom, were seen as insufficient in managing unrest. The deployment, which federalized the National Guard for the first time since the 1960s civil rights protests, aims primarily to protect federal property and employees amid ongoing clashes and over 100 arrests. Governor Newsom has challenged the deployment through lawsuits and criticized the use of active-duty military forces, while Trump has suggested arresting Newsom for his opposition, though GOP lawmakers have been reluctant to pursue that. Senator James Lankford emphasized that Trump's move seeks to de-escalate tensions amid scenes of violent protests, including burning cars and confrontations with law enforcement. The situation highlights stark partisan divides on immigration enforcement and federal authority during civil unrest in a major U.S. city.