Trump's troops in Los Angeles: What is the National Guard? Is the deployment legal?

A series of escalating demonstrations in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement has led to the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops by United States President Donald Trump.

Over the weekend, demonstrations swept through the city, leading to violent confrontations with law enforcement, significant property damage and a growing political standoff between federal and state leaders.

The unrest, initially sparked by targeted immigration arrests on Friday, grew into a citywide protest movement by Sunday. Demonstrators flooded downtown Los Angeles and later blocked sections of the 101 Freeway, where tensions reached a boiling point.

Authorities responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and other crowd-control tactics. Several self-driving vehicles were torched, and multiple areas in the city’s core were cordoned off under an unlawful assembly order.

The decision to deploy National Guard troops without the request of California’s governor has stirred controversy. Governor Gavin Newsom criticised the federal response, calling it a “serious breach of state sovereignty.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed these concerns, saying, “This is about another agenda, this isn’t about public safety.”

What is happening in Los Angeles?

The protests first emerged in response to a series of immigration enforcement raids across Los Angeles. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents reportedly made arrests in several locations, including the fashion district and a Home Depot parking lot.

On Saturday, federal authorities were seen staging at another Home Depot in Paramount, prompting large crowds to gather in anticipation of further operations. Officials later said there was no enforcement activity at that location.

Demonstrators mobilised quickly, with activity spreading to Compton and other nearby areas. Some attempted to obstruct Border Patrol vehicles by throwing stones and debris. Agents clad in riot gear fired tear gas, flash-bang grenades and pepper balls in response.

By Sunday, the tally of arrested immigrants had surpassed 100, according to federal figures. Protest-related arrests also mounted, including the detention of a well-known union figure accused of interfering with law enforcement.

Downtown LA became the epicentre of protests on Sunday.

National Guard troops carrying riot shields formed a defensive perimeter around the Metropolitan Detention Centre. Protesters chanted slogans and taunted the soldiers.

Some individuals pushed forward, prompting law enforcement officers to fire smoke-filled canisters. Soon after, the Los Angeles Police Department initiated further dispersal efforts using non-lethal rounds.

As protesters retreated toward the 101 Freeway, several climbed over barriers and began throwing rocks, broken concrete and electric scooters at California Highway Patrol officers.

Vehicles were targeted, and law enforcement took cover under overpasses. At least four Waymo self-driving cars were set ablaze, creating columns of smoke visible across the skyline.

Authorities later cleared the freeway and sealed off parts of downtown. By Sunday evening, the area remained under a lockdown. The deployment of federal troops marked the third consecutive day of public unrest.

How did Trump deploy the National Guard?

Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard bypassed the usual protocol requiring a governor’s request for federal assistance.

He relied on Title 10 of the US Code — a federal statute that allows the president to take direct command of National Guard units during emergencies that threaten national security or federal authority.

According to the memo signed Saturday night, Trump authorised the deployment of at least 2,000 Guard members to Los Angeles County “for 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense.”

He also declared that the Secretary of Defense could activate other active-duty forces to assist with protecting federal facilities “in any number determined appropriate in his discretion.”

The president was unapologetic about his actions. “We’re gonna have troops everywhere. We’re not going to let this happen to our country,” he said while speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey.

“We’re not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden.”

He added, “The bar is what I think it is. I mean, if we see danger to our country and to our citizens, we’ll be very, very strong in terms of law and order. It’s about law and order.”

On his Truth Social platform, Trump criticised California leaders, writing: “If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”

Trump further stated demonstrators would no longer be allowed to wear masks during protests. His administration’s border czar, Tom Homan, said, “We’re going to continue doing our job. We’re going to push back on these people, and we’re going to enforce the law.”

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the immediate mobilisation of Guard troops. He also indicated that if violence escalated, active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton could be deployed.

As of Sunday afternoon, approximately 500 Marines at Twentynine Palms were placed on “prepared to deploy” status.

What is the National Guard and what can it do?

The National Guard is a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, comprising the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Formed in 1903 under the Militia Act, it serves both state and federal governments, depending on who activates it.

When deployed by governors, National Guard units primarily assist with disaster response — from hurricanes to wildfires. Most recently, they were mobilised for California’s catastrophic wildfires in January this year and supported rescue operations during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

They also played a crucial role during the George Floyd protests and the US Capitol riot response in 2021, when over 25,000 Guard troops were stationed in Washington, DC.

The Guard can also serve in combat missions abroad, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. As of 2023, the Guard had about 419,000 reservists, with several thousand stationed in US territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

While typically under state command, the president can assume control during specific national emergencies through federal statutes like Title 10.

This federalisation temporarily removes the Guard from the governor’s jurisdiction and allows the president to use them as a domestic security force.

Such measures are rarely used. The last time the National Guard was federalised without a governor’s request was in 1965, when US President Lyndon B Johnson sent troops to protect a civil rights march in Alabama.

Title 10 has also been used during the Civil Rights era by US Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson to enforce desegregation laws.

The last notable example of federal troop deployment to Los Angeles was in 1992, following the acquittal of police officers in the beating of Rodney King.

The move to federalise the Guard has drawn condemnation from Democratic leaders. Newsom, while visiting Los Angeles, demanded the removal of the Guard and denounced the administration’s actions.

Bass claimed the deployment had worsened tensions rather than improving public safety.

Former US Vice President Kamala Harris also weighed in: “The immigration arrests and Guard deployment were designed as part of a cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division.”

Despite mounting political opposition, the Trump administration has signalled no intent to withdraw federal troops from Los Angeles.

With inputs from agencies