National Guard reinforcements sent to Los Angeles as anti-ICE riots escalate and federal property is threatened.

Thousands of Troops Mobilized to Secure Los Angeles

The Trump administration has ordered the deployment of 2,000 additional National Guard troops to Los Angeles, escalating the federal response to ongoing anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots that have gripped the city. The decision, announced by the Department of Defense and U.S. Northern Command, aims to reinforce the protection of federal property and personnel amid continued violence and looting.

According to the Pentagon’s Tuesday statement, the new deployment brings the National Guard presence in Los Angeles to over 4,100 soldiers, alongside 700 active-duty Marines. The 49th Military Police Brigade will join the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment under Task Force 51, led by Maj. Gen. Scott M. Sherman. The task force’s mission is to provide continuous security for federal functions, a move that federal officials stress will not involve civilian law enforcement duties.

The federal deployment follows a lawsuit by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who accused the Trump administration of commandeering state National Guard forces without consultation or valid legal grounds. Newsom argued that the 2,000 soldiers were diverted from critical state duties, including wildfire response and border security, for what he called political theater. “This is cleanup from the Pentagon,” Newsom’s spokesperson said, describing the move as a continuation of prior federal orders.

Legal Battles and Rising Tensions

Last week, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled in favor of Governor Newsom, questioning the legality of the deployment. The case is currently under review by an appellate court. Despite the legal uncertainty, U.S. Northern Command maintains that the additional troops are being trained in de-escalation, crowd control, and rules of engagement to ensure a disciplined approach to the mission.

The unrest began roughly two weeks ago in Paramount, south of Los Angeles, after ICE conducted immigration sweeps that triggered violent protests. The riots quickly spread north, with downtown Los Angeles experiencing looting, vandalism, and anti-ICE, anti-Trump graffiti. Notably, law enforcement discovered multiple “Kill Trump” messages in the area, which the U.S. Secret Service confirmed it is monitoring.

Federal officials say that the National Guard’s role is strictly to support the lead federal agency and protect federal assets. “The soldiers are completing training on de-escalation, crowd control, and use of the standing rules for the use of force in advance of joining the federal protection mission,” U.S. Northern Command stated.

Meanwhile, violence has continued to erupt. Early Monday morning, a group of around 100 looters ransacked an AutoZone store in southern Los Angeles, reportedly stealing $67,000 worth of merchandise. Detectives are investigating whether the looting is linked to a larger pattern of “street takeovers” observed during the ongoing unrest.

As legal battles play out in federal court, both state and federal authorities face mounting pressure to restore order and address the underlying tensions driving the riots. The National Guard’s continued presence is expected to remain a focal point of the debate as Los Angeles grapples with a volatile summer of protest and civil unrest.