The situation in Los Angeles has intensified as President Donald Trump mobilizes 2,000 troops from the California National Guard to address growing protests against federal immigration policies and deportation practices.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued warnings of potential additional military deployment if the protests escalate into violence.
In a stark warning, Trump’s border czar Tom Homan, a seasoned official from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), remarked, “it’s a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt” amidst the increasing tension.
He did not rule out the possibility that federal officials or ICE personnel could potentially resort to lethal force during these encounters, suggesting a bleak outcome in an interview with NBC News.
Simultaneously, both Homan and Trump threatened California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass with arrest for allegedly harboring undocumented immigrants or obstructing law enforcement efforts.
Trump emphasized that officials who “stand in the way of law and order” could face criminal charges.
California’s leadership, including Newsom, has condemned Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard, particularly following clashes between law enforcement and protesters over the recent weekend.
The Posse Comitatus Act restricts the military’s involvement in domestic law enforcement, and legal experts have questioned how the administration plans to navigate this legislation.
Chris Mirasola, a legal scholar and former Defense Department adviser, stressed the importance of monitoring Secretary Hegseth’s adherence to legal standards in the coming days.
As tensions reached a boiling point, Trump made brief remarks to the press upon returning from a weekend in New Jersey, where he spent leisure time at one of his country clubs, including golfing.
He remarked that the current unrest did not yet meet the threshold for invoking the Insurrection Act, which would grant him broader powers to deploy military personnel domestically.
Trump stated, “We’re going to have troops everywhere. We’re not going to let this happen to our country. We’re not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden,” signaling a commitment to maintaining order.
He further elaborated that his administration would closely monitor protests occurring in other cities, alleging that demonstrators were aggressive towards law enforcement personnel.
In a subsequent social media post, Trump described protesters as “violent, insurrectionist mobs” and directed federal agencies to take decisive action against what he termed the “Migrant Invasion” in Los Angeles.
He assured supporters that law and order would be restored, declaring, “Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free.”
According to Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-Calif., federal plans indicate the National Guard’s presence in Los Angeles might last for 30 days.
Hegseth has characterized the situation as a response to violent assaults against federal law enforcement by what he called a “violent mob,” framing it as a national security risk due to the involvement of alleged criminal cartels.
In a statement made on Saturday, Hegseth asserted, “The Pentagon is mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles.
And, if violence continues, active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert.”
Camp Pendleton, located about 80 miles south of Los Angeles, is one of the largest Marine Corps bases in the United States.
Newsom expressed outrage on social media regarding the potential deployment of Marines in response to domestic protests.
He remarked, “The Secretary of Defense is now threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens. This is deranged behavior.”
In defense of the National Guard, Hegseth reiterated that they stand with ICE in resistance against these protests.
While some Republican lawmakers expressed skepticism about the likelihood of deploying Marines in Los Angeles, House Speaker Mike Johnson endorsed the plan, stating that maintaining peace through strength is essential.
He insisted, “We do that on foreign affairs and domestic affairs as well. I don’t think that’s heavy-handed.”
Additionally, Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, a 20-year Navy veteran, actively supported the potential deployment of active-duty Marines, asserting that Trump should take necessary measures to control the situation.
As the situation continues to unfold, the dialogue among political leaders and law enforcement surrounding troop deployments and law enforcement tactics in the context of civil unrest remains contentious and uncertain.
The coming days may prove vital in determining how federal and state authorities will navigate the conflict between law enforcement, protests, and legal boundaries.
image source from：https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/politics/2025/06/08/hegseth-homan-marines-los-angeles-protests-trump
