U.S. President Donald Trump decided to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles (LA) as protests regarding immigration enforcement spread.

On 7th, in California, USA, during a protest against immigration enforcement, protestors are facing off with California Highway Patrol officers. /Courtesy of Paramount.

According to local media, including CNN, on the 7th (local time), President Trump ordered the deployment of at least 2,000 National Guard troops in California under the National Defense Act. The White House explained that this action was due to judging protests and violent incidents that interfere with immigration authorities' activities as a state of 'lawlessness.'

The White House order also stated that actions that obstruct the activities of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or resist law enforcement could be considered part of 'insurrection.'

In response to this measure, California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly opposed it, saying, 'It is a deliberate provocation that only escalates tensions.' He criticized that 'California is not experiencing a manpower shortage, but the federal government is staging a political show.'

This situation began over the weekend when federal immigration authorities conducted surprise raids on workplaces in the LA area to target undocumented immigrants. Following two days of ongoing enforcement, protests erupted in major cities across California, including LA.

Locally, police dispersed protesters using tear gas and flashbangs, and some protesters resisted by occupying intersections or setting vehicles on fire.

While the Trump administration labeled the protesters as 'lawless mobs,' the Los Angeles Police Department stated, 'The protest held on Saturday was largely peaceful and concluded without significant clashes.'

The Ministry of National Defense is also monitoring the situation closely. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted, 'If the situation becomes prolonged, active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton could also be deployed.'