Mass protests have erupted across Los Angeles after ICE conducted immigration raids in Latino neighborhoods. What began peacefully quickly turned violent—cars were torched, stores looted, and dozens arrested over the weekend.
In response, Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops, later adding another 2,000 and 700 marines. On Truth Social, he wrote: “If Governor Gavin Newscum [sic] and Mayor Karen Bass can’t do their jobs… the Federal Government will step in… the way it should be solved!”
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the deployment, calling it “unlawful” and demanding the troops return under state command. He claimed the situation worsened only after Trump got involved.
Trump has now hinted at invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807, allowing active-duty military to enforce law within the U.S. “If there’s an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it,” he said. The law was last used during the 1992 LA riots after the Rodney King verdict, underlining the seriousness of the moment.
