California Governor Gavin Newsom has fiercely condemned the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, calling it “purposefully inflammatory” and labeling the move “acts of a dictator.”
In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), Newsom said:
“These are the acts of a dictator, not a President.”
The remarks come as federal agents and National Guard troops, acting under a White House directive, clashed with protesters in Paramount, Compton, and downtown Los Angeles for a third consecutive day. The unrest stems from a wave of aggressive ICE raids targeting undocumented migrants across Southern California.
Legal Tensions Escalate
According to Reuters, the deployment of federal forces was ordered by the Trump administration without Governor Newsom’s consent, a move California leaders have called unconstitutional and politically driven.
The White House cited Title 10 of the U.S. Code to justify the deployment, claiming the troops were only there to protect federal buildings and personnel. However, critics noted that the Insurrection Act has not been formally invoked, raising legal questions about the administration’s ability to override state authority.
Violence and Clashes
Federal forces declared multiple gatherings as “unlawful assemblies,” after some protesters reportedly threw bottles and concrete at officers. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information on a violent incident that left a federal officer injured in Paramount.
Despite scattered violence, Mayor Karen Bass condemned the Trump administration’s approach, accusing it of “deliberately inciting tensions,” while also urging protesters to remain peaceful.
“We cannot allow provocations from Washington to tear our communities apart,” Bass said.
National Guard and Military on Standby
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that Marines at Camp Pendleton are on “high alert” and warned of a possible active-duty military deployment if protests spiral further.
This suggestion was denounced as “deranged” by Newsom, who emphasized California’s right to govern internal security affairs without federal militarization.
Human Rights Concerns
Immigration advocacy groups, including CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles), accused federal agents of sweeping up legal residents and green card holders in the ICE operation.
Angelica Salas, CHIRLA’s executive director, said:
“This is an attack not just on undocumented migrants but on the civil rights of our entire community. Lawyers have been denied access to detainees.”
International Reaction
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum weighed in, condemning the U.S. actions:
“The phenomenon will not be addressed with violence, but through comprehensive reform.”
Sheinbaum’s statement follows images of protesters waving Mexican flags and chanting “ICE out of L.A.!”, underscoring how the raids have ignited fears within immigrant communities.
What’s Next?
Despite no formal invocation of the Insurrection Act, the Trump administration has shown willingness to bypass state leadership, a move analysts warn could set a dangerous precedent. With tensions escalating, all eyes are now on California’s legal response and whether the Biden administration—if elected in November—will reverse course.
For now, Los Angeles remains on edge, with streets filled with protesters, soldiers, and growing uncertainty over the boundaries between federal authority and state sovereignty.