The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that 2,000 more California National Guard troops are being deployed to the Los Angeles area. This step follows a wave of protests sparked by immigration raids. These protests, some of which turned tense, have taken place in downtown L.A. over the past few weeks.
The troops are being activated under Title 10, a federal law. President Donald Trump first used this law on June 7 to send National Guard forces to Los Angeles. The goal of the deployment is to help protect federal workers, buildings, and other government operations.
Officials from U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) clarified that this group of 2,000 soldiers was not new. They were part of a previous order made last week. These soldiers will join around 2,100 other National Guard members and 700 U.S. Marines already on the ground in Los Angeles.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave the order for this deployment. However, the Pentagon has not explained why this specific number of troops was chosen. Before starting their duties, the new troops will receive training. This includes lessons on de-escalation, handling large crowds, and understanding when and how force can be used.
Governor Gavin Newsom of California responded with sharp criticism. He said the move was not a new mission, but simply part of an earlier plan. His office stated that these troops were taken away from wildfire control and border work. The statement described the deployment as political, accusing the federal government of using soldiers for what it called “political theater.”
President Trump’s original order said the purpose of the deployment is to give temporary support to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to protect other federal resources. The order comes after several immigration raids took place across the city. These actions triggered public anger and led to the recent protests.
Many state and city leaders, including Governor Newsom, have spoken out against the use of federal troops. They say local police are capable of managing protests without outside help. Officials also fear that more troops could make tensions worse in a city known for its large immigrant population.
The move has also led to a legal fight. Governor Newsom has filed a lawsuit against the deployment. He argues that placing California National Guard soldiers under federal control without the state’s permission goes against the law. The lawsuit claims that the use of Title 10 in this case is a power grab by the White House.
A federal judge in San Francisco, Charles Breyer, briefly stopped the deployment last week. But that ruling was quickly reversed by an appeals court only a few hours later.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit heard arguments on whether the president went beyond his legal powers. The case could decide how far a president can go when using federal law to send troops inside U.S. cities.
As the legal battle unfolds, thousands of National Guard troops remain in Los Angeles. Their role is to support federal operations while public protests continue. Officials have not said how long the troops will stay.
