President Donald Trump issued a strong statement over the weekend, warning that there would be “troops everywhere” if protests in Los Angeles continued. The remarks came after several days of unrest, which included clashes with law enforcement, property damage, and intensified immigration enforcement efforts.
After arriving in New Jersey aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump addressed reporters and said, “We are not going to let this happen to our country.” On Saturday, he authorized the use of federal service members under a law that allows troop deployment during a rebellion or threat against the U.S. government’s authority. His comments have drawn both support and criticism, fueling ongoing concerns about federal overreach and potential moves toward martial law.
Trump praised the National Guard’s involvement in Los Angeles, crediting them for helping to contain violence. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, he criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, calling them “incompetent” and accusing them of failing to manage the crisis. Trump also said that protesters would no longer be allowed to wear masks during demonstrations, questioning their intentions and transparency.
The unrest in Los Angeles was sparked by protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and detentions. Tensions rose sharply on Saturday when demonstrators gathered outside a federal detention facility. Officers used tear gas and flash-bangs to disperse the crowd, and several arrests were made. Union leaders and activists were among those detained.
Border Patrol and ICE agents in riot gear were seen standing guard outside industrial areas in Paramount, California, where the protests have been most intense. Videos shared on social media showed agents confronting demonstrators and deploying tear gas as people recorded the scenes on their phones.
Governor Newsom responded by asking the federal government to withdraw the National Guard from the city, calling the deployment a “serious breach of state sovereignty.” He met with local law enforcement officials in Los Angeles over the weekend and urged protesters to remain peaceful, emphasizing that violence would only escalate the situation.
“This is a dangerous path,” Newsom wrote in a message posted to X. “He’s hoping for chaos so he can justify more crackdowns.”
Newsom then went to social media again, and it sure looks like he’s now blaming LAPD:
Let’s get this straight:
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. https://t.co/g6bwwZ29fc
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 9, 2025
The California National Guard confirmed that approximately 300 members had been deployed across three locations in Los Angeles early Sunday morning. This deployment was not requested by the governor, which marks a rare instance in modern U.S. history. Typically, the National Guard remains under the authority of state governors, but the federal government invoked Title 10 of the U.S. Code to take control in this case.
Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino announced on social media that arrests were also taking place in New York. He warned that those obstructing immigration enforcement could face federal, state, and local charges. ICE Deputy Director Tom Homan confirmed that more federal personnel would be arriving in Los Angeles soon, stating that the goal is to enhance public safety during the unrest.
This situation echoes several historic moments when federal troops were deployed in response to civil unrest. Title 10 has been used in the past during the Civil Rights Movement, following Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, and during the 1992 Los Angeles riots after the Rodney King verdict. Trump’s decision to invoke it now places him alongside past presidents who acted during moments of significant national disorder.
As events continue to unfold in Los Angeles, officials at all levels are watching closely. With federal troops on the ground and both public concern and political debate rising, the coming days are likely to be critical for determining how the city — and the country — responds.
