President Trump Deploys National Guard to L.A., Sparking Outrage

Los Ángeles, California, Estados Unidos - On June 9, 2025, President Donald Trump made headlines by deploying 2,000 members of the National Guard to Los Angeles as a response to protests against immigration raids by ICE. This significant move has reignited discussions about the boundaries of presidential power concerning the use of military forces on domestic soil. Local officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, have voiced strong objections, stating that military intervention is unwarranted in this scenario.

Trump justified his decision by invoking a rarely used provision of federal law, highlighting his authority to act under extraordinary circumstances. This deployment marks a historical moment, as it is the first time since 1965 that a president has sent troops into a state without the state governor’s consent. According to Infobae, the National Guard can typically be activated by both state governors and the federal government. Trump’s action places him in command of the California National Guard under Title 10 of the U.S. Armed Forces Code.

Local and National Backlash

Governor Newsom has criticized the deployment as „purposely inflammatory,“ insisting that it is likely to worsen tensions already simmering in the city. Newsom’s sentiment is echoed by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who also deems the military presence unnecessary. The protests were sparked by a series of ICE operations in predominantly Latino areas, with reports of at least 44 arrests occurring in just one day. Activists and protesters had gathered to challenge the tactics employed by immigration enforcement, which included methods such as using tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to obstruct detentions.

Legal expert Steve Vladeck from AP News noted that while federalizing the National Guard allows the president to take control, it does not grant them authority to engage in routine law enforcement actions unless the Insurrection Act is invoked. This act gives the president the power to deploy military forces to respond to insurrections, but its historical application has been controversial, often linked to protecting civil rights during tumultuous times.

Escalating Military Presence and Implications

The Trump administration has been no stranger to deploying military resources domestically. This latest announcement reflects a continued trend in which Trump has been willing to use military force to quell dissent. The National Guard’s role in supporting ICE operations, as outlined in Trump’s directive, suggests that the administration is not only aiming to enforce immigration laws more strictly but is also showcasing an aggressive stance towards public protests.

Adding complexity to the situation, the broader context of migration flows in Mexico has come under scrutiny as well. Recent incidents, including the tragic death of a Cuban migrant, have raised alarms regarding the increasing militarization of immigration management. According to a report from Forbes Mexico, allegations have surfaced that military personnel fired upon a vehicle full of migrants, resulting in fatalities and multiple injuries. This incident has drawn the attention of various human rights organizations, further revealing the fraught nature of current U.S.-Mexico immigration policies and military involvement.

With over 28,600 military personnel now stationed along both the northern and southern borders, as reported, the situation is ripe for continued scrutiny. The National Institute of Migration has noted a staggering increase in the detection of undocumented migrants, with numbers tripling since 2020, further complicating the landscape for both policy and enforcement.

As the situation in Los Angeles unfolds and national debates heat up, residents are left pondering the implications of wielding military power within city limits. Some may argue that there’s a balance to be struck between maintaining law and order and protecting civil liberties, a conversation that is bound to continue as the country navigates the intersection of immigration policy and military enforcement.