Federal Troops Deploy Los Angeles Amid Protests, California Seeks Legal Halt

President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to protect federal property amid ongoing protests, marking the first time since the 1960s that a president has imposed troops on a state without the governor's consent. The National Guard, largely from California, along with active duty Marines, have been mobilized under federal authority citing Title 10 of the US Code, a move that has sparked legal challenges from California Governor Gavin Newsom. Critics argue the deployment is an unlawful militarization of the city, with troops supporting federal agents in detaining protesters and immigrants, while local law enforcement had been managing the situation. The presence of troops in LA has been described by opponents as an authoritarian overreach intended to escalate tensions rather than restore order. ICE raids and aggressive federal enforcement actions have intensified protests, with accounts of detentions without due process and crowd control measures including tear gas. The situation reflects broader political and legal conflicts over federal versus state authority and the use of military force in domestic civil matters.