Trump ‘mobilising an additional 2,000’ National Guard to Los Angeles amid protests against immigration raids

US President Donald Trump is sending an “additional” 2,000 National Guard to protest-hit Los Angeles, the Pentagon said on Monday (Jun 9). This comes after Trump's standoff with local officials objecting to earlier mobilisations of guardsmen and Marines.

“At the order of the President, the Department of Defense is mobilizing an additional 2,000 California National Guard to be called into federal service to support ICE & to enable federal law-enforcement officers to safely conduct their duties,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell posted on X.

Earlier, the Trump administration announced it was sending 700 US Marines to Los Angeles. A senior administration official told AFP that following the clashes in the city over immigration raids, “active-duty US Marines from Camp Pendleton will be deployed to Los Angeles to help protect federal agents and buildings.”

The US military confirmed the deployment of “approximately 700 Marines” from an infantry battalion that would “seamlessly integrate” with National Guard forces deployed by Trump, without the consent of California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. The move has sparked criticism from local leaders.

‘Reckless. Pointless. And Disrespectful’

California Governor Newsom on Monday slammed the US President, calling his moves “reckless, pointless and disrespectful”.

“I was just informed Trump is deploying another 2,000 Guard troops to L.A. The first 2,000? Given no food or water. Only approx. 300 are deployed — the rest are sitting, unused, in federal buildings without orders,” he wrote on X.

He added, “This isn’t about public safety. It’s about stroking a dangerous President’s ego. This is Reckless. Pointless. And Disrespectful to our troops.”

Newsom sued Trump, calling his moves “abuse of power” and “threat to the foundation of our republic”.

“One of the cornerstones of our Nation and our democracy is that our people are governed by civil, not military, rule. The Founders enshrined these principles in our Constitution — that a government should be accountable to its people, guided by the rule of law, and one of civil authority, not military rule. California will be standing up for those principles in court, Donald Trump,” the California Governor said on X.