California-Federal Showdown Escalates as Trump Deploys 700 Marines to Los Angeles
A volatile standoff between California and the Trump administration escalated Monday, as federal officials moved to deploy 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles alongside 2,000 National Guardsmen, prompting legal threats and fierce opposition from state leaders.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move as an authoritarian overreach, accusing Trump of bypassing state authority for political gain.
“U.S. Marines have served honorably in defense of democracy. They are heroes,” Newsom said. “They shouldn’t be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen to fulfill the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President.”
The deployment marks a significant escalation in federal response to unrest sparked by Trump’s aggressive immigration policies. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the state would sue the administration, challenging the legality of federalizing the National Guard and deploying troops without the governor’s consent.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the deployment was triggered by “increased threats to federal law enforcement and federal buildings.”
“Approximately 700 active-duty Marines are being sent to Los Angeles to restore order,” Parnell stated.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth defended the decision, claiming:
“We have an obligation to defend federal law enforcement officers—even if Gavin Newsom will not.”
Trump has indicated that the troop presence in Los Angeles could last up to 60 days, according to California’s adjutant general.
Newsom responded with a full-court press, deploying 800 additional state officers, filing a lawsuit, and warning that Trump is actively seeking to provoke violence.
“Trump wants chaos, and he’s instigated violence,” Newsom posted on X. “Los Angeles: don’t take his bait. Stay peaceful. Stay focused. Don’t give him the excuse he’s looking for.”
The confrontation sets up a constitutional clash over the limits of federal power and the role of military force in domestic unrest—raising alarm over the precedent such a deployment could set.
This isn’t about public safety—it’s about feeding a dangerous President’s ego,” Governor Gavin Newsom wrote in a post Monday. “It’s reckless, pointless, and deeply disrespectful to the men and women in uniform.”
While denouncing Trump’s military intervention, Newsom also drew a firm line against lawlessness:
“Foolish agitators exploiting Trump’s chaos will be held accountable,” he warned.
Though Trump and Newsom have frequently clashed, the showdown over Los Angeles marks a dramatic new low in their combative relationship. In a newly filed lawsuit, California accuses the Trump administration of violating the state’s constitutional autonomy.
“One of the cornerstones of our democracy is that we are governed by civilians, not the military,” the suit states. “President Trump hijacked a protest that local authorities were managing to stage yet another unprecedented power grab—this time at the expense of California’s sovereignty.”
Newsom Sues Trump Over Deployment of Marines to Los Angeles: “Unlawful Power Grab”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump, accusing him of violating the state’s sovereignty by sending federal troops into Los Angeles amid growing immigration protests.
“One of the cornerstones of our Nation and our democracy is that our people are governed by civil, not military, rule,” the suit reads. “Trump used a protest that local authorities had under control to make another unprecedented power grab—this time at the cost of California’s sovereignty.”
Marines Deploy as Protests Escalate
A convoy of military vehicles and troop buses was seen heading west along Highway 62 near Joshua Tree on Monday evening. A photojournalist from the Desert Sun reported five buses and up to ten armed vehicles en route to Los Angeles from Twentynine Palms. Around 20 demonstrators at a nearby crosswalk protested recent immigration raids.
Shortly before their movement, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that 700 Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment had been ordered to Los Angeles “to restore order.”
State Pushback: ‘Escalating an Already Volatile Situation’
California officials quickly pushed back, saying federal troops are intensifying tensions rather than calming them.
“Donald Trump is creating fear and terror by overstepping his authority,” Newsom said in a statement. “This is a manufactured crisis designed to let him seize control of a state militia and damage the republic itself.”
Attorney General Rob Bonta called the deployment “unnecessary, counterproductive, and most importantly, unlawful.” He announced the state would formally challenge the federalization of the California National Guard, arguing that Trump bypassed the governor’s authority.
Protests Grip Downtown LA
Demonstrators continued circling City Hall and several federal buildings Monday night as helicopters monitored from above. Hundreds marched past graffiti-covered walls and blaring car horns, chanting slogans and demanding ICE be dismantled.
Law enforcement used pepper balls and tear gas sporadically when crowds approached barricaded areas. Though the scene was tense, local authorities maintained relative control. However, protesters with spray paint were largely unimpeded.
700 Active-Duty Marines Sent to Urban Streets
U.S. Northern Command confirmed Monday that the Marines sent to Los Angeles were trained in de-escalation tactics, crowd control, and rules of engagement for civil environments. The Marines had been on standby since Saturday.
Colonel Kelly Frushour said the troops will assist the 2,100 National Guardsmen already stationed in the area and focus on protecting federal personnel and property. “This is a significant escalation,” said one defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Though active-duty troops have long assisted at the U.S.-Mexico border, this marks one of the first times such forces have been deployed into a major American city during a protest.
Newsom Calls in 800 Additional Officers
As clashes grew more intense, Gov. Newsom authorized 800 more state and local law enforcement officers to be deployed to Los Angeles.
“Chaos is exactly what Trump wanted,” Newsom said. “Now we are sending in hundreds more officers to restore calm. California stands united to ensure the safety of the people in the LA region.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed the governor’s remarks, stating, “While Washington choreographed this chaos, our local forces continue to respond effectively.”
Federal Forces, Arrests, and Allegations of Force
By Monday, LAPD had arrested 50 people linked to the weekend unrest. Charges ranged from violating dispersal orders to attempted murder with a Molotov cocktail.
Officers fired over 600 rounds of non-lethal ammunition and used tear gas to manage what they described as a “hostile crowd.” Five officers and several mounted patrol horses were injured. Protesters reportedly used handheld radios to coordinate movements and avoid police lines.
The LAPD’s Professional Standards Bureau has launched an investigation into potential excessive use of force.
Journalist Injured by Rubber Bullet
Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi was hit by a rubber bullet while covering Sunday’s protests, 9News reported. Video shows a police officer aiming directly at her before firing. Tomasi sustained a bruise to her leg but was not seriously injured.
Burning Robotaxis Raise Environmental Concerns
Amid the unrest, several Waymo self-driving electric vehicles were torched, drawing concern from environmental and public safety experts. EV battery fires can burn hotter and emit toxic gases, such as hydrogen fluoride and metal particulates.
Firefighters say EV fires require specialized techniques and are far more difficult to extinguish than traditional vehicle blazes.
Glendale Ends Contract With ICE Amid Public Backlash
The City of Glendale, located northeast of downtown Los Angeles, announced Sunday night it will terminate its long-standing agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain immigration violators at local police facilities. The contract, in place since 2007, has become a flashpoint for controversy.
“Regardless of its limited scope, the ICE contract has become divisive,” city officials said in a statement.
DHS Slams Glendale: Accuses City of Shielding Violent Offenders
The Department of Homeland Security issued a scathing response Monday on X, accusing Glendale officials of siding with “criminal illegal aliens” over American citizens.
“Sanctuary politicians in Glendale would rather protect rapists, murderers, and gang members than help ICE hold violent offenders,” the DHS post read.
Stars Condemn Federal Response to LA Protests
As unrest continues in Los Angeles, celebrities have taken to social media to denounce the federal government’s handling of the demonstrations. Many called for the release of detained protesters and criticized the presence of military forces in civilian areas.
Finnis Says He Was Tear Gassed at Peaceful LA Protest
Finneas, the Grammy-winning musician and brother of Billie Eilish, posted on Instagram that he was tear gassed at a peaceful protest in downtown Los Angeles on June 8.
“They’re the ones inciting this,” he wrote, blaming federal officers for escalating tensions.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on June 9 that the state plans to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration, calling its deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles “unlawful” and a violation of both constitutional and statutory limits.
According to Bonta, the federal decision to dispatch troops came after protests in the city had largely subsided. “By the time the first few hundred troops arrived in Los Angeles, the protests had mostly dissipated and the streets were mostly quiet and calm,” Bonta said. “After their deployment, the situation escalated, causing highway closures and putting people in danger.”
Bonta claims the order violated the 10th Amendment and misused federal law, asserting that the statute invoked allows National Guard deployment only in the event of a foreign invasion, a domestic rebellion, or when local law enforcement is unable or unwilling to enforce federal laws.
“They unlawfully invoked a law that’s intended for extreme emergencies—none of which existed here,” Bonta said, referencing the statute last used by President Richard Nixon in 1970 during a postal workers’ strike.
Bonta also responded to Donald Trump’s suggestion that California Governor Gavin Newsom should be arrested for refusing federal aid. “It is the president and the Trump administration that is consistently and brazenly violating the law—not Governor Newsom,” he said, dismissing the statement as political “bluster and threat.”
San Francisco Joins Protests Against Immigration Arrests
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, thousands participated in coordinated protests on Monday, June 9, opposing recent immigration-related arrests and federal actions.
The first demonstration occurred at noon outside the California State Building, organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The union’s California president, David Huerta, was arrested during related protests in Los Angeles the previous Friday.
A second protest, led by a coalition of progressive community groups, was held at 4 p.m. at San Francisco City Hall.
At 6 p.m., a third gathering took place at the 24th Street BART station in the Mission District, a cultural center of the city’s Hispanic community.
These protests followed a chaotic weekend in Los Angeles, where multiple Waymo self-driving taxis were attacked and set ablaze on Saturday, June 7. While Waymo said its services were still operating in San Francisco, it confirmed that routes were being restricted in protest-prone areas “out of an abundance of caution.”
As national attention focused on the unfolding crisis in Los Angeles, daily life continued uninterrupted for many city residents — including undocumented day laborers.
Outside a Home Depot in the Paramount neighborhood, a small group of workers in paint-splattered clothing sat on overturned buckets, waiting for job offers. Several said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had detained individuals across Alondra Boulevard on June 7, triggering unrest in the area.
Despite lacking legal documentation, the workers expressed little fear about possible deportation.
“If it’s my time to go, I’ll go,” said Jose Luis Valencia, a 54-year-old Mexican-born laborer. “We’re not thieves. We’re just looking for jobs.”
Community Voices: ‘LA Is Still Peaceful’
Longtime resident Ira Long, 67, pushed back against media portrayals of the city as descending into chaos. A pastor at the Alondra Church of Christ in Compton and a retired special education teacher, Long compared current tensions with the 1992 Rodney King riots.
“That was a really, really terrible time. Right now, I don’t feel any of that tension or anxiety,” he said, as church volunteers prepared food for distribution less than a mile from protest flashpoints.
“This is a very loving community. It has its challenges, its issues. But it’s never been totally out of control,” Long added. “Right now, it’s pretty cool.”
Protesters Rally Nationwide Over Immigration Enforcement
Dozens of demonstrators rallied outside the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on June 9 to protest ICE raids in Los Angeles and the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops.
“Enough of these mass ICE raids sweeping up innocent people,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. “Enough of the undermining of due process.”
The rally was organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) following the arrest of its California president, David Huerta, during protests in Los Angeles. According to U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, Huerta allegedly blocked law enforcement vehicles from entering a facility to serve a warrant and resisted arrest, prompting agents to use pepper spray.
Protesters held signs reading, “Free David. End ICE Raids” and “Justice for David Huerta Now.” The demonstration was one of more than a dozen held across the country, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Trump Suggests Arresting Newsom Amid National Guard Dispute
In escalating rhetoric, former President Donald Trump said he would support the arrest of California Governor Gavin Newsom over the state’s resistance to federal intervention.
“I would do it… I think it’s great,” Trump said when asked if his former immigration czar Tom Homan should arrest Newsom for defying National Guard deployment orders.
Newsom responded defiantly on social media June 8, daring federal authorities to follow through. Arresting the governor would represent an unprecedented escalation in the ongoing legal battle between the Trump administration and California.
Newsom: Trump ‘Manufactured Chaos’ in California
Governor Newsom blamed Trump directly for the unrest that followed the National Guard’s deployment in Los Angeles.
“Let’s get this straight,” Newsom posted. “1) Local law enforcement didn’t need help. 2) Trump sent troops anyway — to manufacture chaos and violence. 3) Trump succeeded. 4) Now things are destabilized and we need to send in more law enforcement just to clean up Trump’s mess.”
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell condemned the violence as “disgusting,” while asserting that most violent actors were not part of the peaceful immigration policy protests.
Families of Detained Workers Plead for Justice
At a press conference Monday, family members of warehouse workers detained during last week’s ICE sweep demanded their release.
Elaina Jung Hee Vermeulen of the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice said her attempt to meet with detained workers was blocked by law enforcement in riot gear.
“Instead of allowing me to meet with community members, they jumped onto trucks in riot gear,” Vermeulen said. She urged leaders to ban ICE from entering workplaces and safeguard immigrant rights. “Every single person here, fighting for a better life, deserves to have their rights protected.”
Noem’s Guard Comments Resurface Amid Federal-State Tensions
As the debate over National Guard deployments reignites, past statements by South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem have drawn renewed attention. In February 2024, Noem criticized President Biden’s consideration of federalizing the National Guard in Texas, calling it a “direct attack on states’ rights” and warning it could spark a “war” between Washington and GOP-led states.
“If Biden did that,” she said in a Fox News interview, “he’d be inviting conflict with every conservative governor in America.”
Her comments highlight the political reversal now playing out, as Trump moves to federalize forces in Democratic-led California over the state’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
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