The deployment of National Guard members to Los Angeles has sparked controversy as protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies continue to escalate.
Major General Scott Sherman confirmed on Wednesday that although troops are trained to detain civilians if necessary, no protesters have been detained thus far.
The National Guard’s presence was requested in response to the growing dissent against President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration raids targeting undocumented individuals in southern California, particularly at businesses like Home Depot.
Protests began on Friday, fueled by widespread outrage over the deportation actions that many perceived as targeting vulnerable community members.
In reaction to the demonstrations, President Trump labeled the situation in Los Angeles as “third-world lawlessness” and dispatched military forces, including nearly 700 Marines, to the area.
Sherman acknowledged the concerns of authorities regarding a potential increase in national unrest, saying, “I’m focused right here in LA, what’s going on right here. But you know, I think we’re very concerned.”
Out of the over 4,000 National Guard members deployed, 500 received training to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Sherman’s statements come amid growing condemnation of Trump’s military deployment without approval from California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, who filed an emergency motion on Tuesday to restrict the military’s activities to federal buildings only.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass asserted that the administration’s military measures are escalating tensions instead of alleviating them.
“We started off by hearing the administration wanted to go after violent felons, gang members, drug dealers,” Bass stated.
“However, when you raid Home Depots and workplaces, when you tear parents and children apart, and when you run armored caravans through our streets, you are not trying to keep anyone safe. You’re trying to cause fear and panic.”
Bass emphasized the drastic escalation brought upon by federalized troops, labeling the deployment as chaotic and unnecessary.
She and Newsom argue that local law enforcement managed the situation effectively prior to Trump’s intervention.
During a meeting with 30 other mayors and city leaders, Bass suggested that the administration is testing the boundaries of federal authority over state and local governments.
“This was provoked by the White House,” Bass claimed.
“The reason why? We don’t know.”
Bass expressed concern that Californians may be part of a larger national experiment in governance.
In response to criticism, Trump maintained that deploying soldiers was essential for protecting federal property and agents, asserting that it fell within his executive authority.
To date, he has not invoked the Insurrection Act of 1807, which would allow for greater military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
Until such a move is made, troops remain generally prohibited from making arrests.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended the deployment, asserting that it has prevented Los Angeles from descending into chaos.
“They’re attempting to use a violent mob as a weapon against their own constituents to prevent the enforcement of immigration law,” she said.
Anticipating ongoing unrest, the Trump administration has committed to continuing immigration raids, with officials aiming for a quota of 3,000 arrests daily.
Advocates for immigrants claim that these measures push ICE agents to take increasingly extreme actions against undocumented individuals, affecting even those without criminal records and those deeply integrated into their communities.
The operations have included blanket raids at Home Depot locations, commonly frequented by undocumented laborers seeking work.
Phil Lavelle from Al Jazeera reported that laborers continue to gather at these locations, aware of being targeted but compelled to seek employment.
Communication among them has been facilitated through messaging apps like WhatsApp to alert one another about the presence of ICE agents.
So far, 61 Mexican nationals have been detained during the current series of raids, as confirmed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
President Trump has consistently framed the influx of migrants into the U.S. as an “invasion,” justifying the stringent immigration enforcement measures.
At a recent military conference, he characterized the protests as an attack on peace, public order, and national sovereignty, suggesting that they reflect a larger threat of foreign influence.
However, this narrative appears to contradict views expressed by General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who stated during a congressional hearing, “I don’t see any foreign state-sponsored folks invading, but I’ll be mindful of the fact that there have been some border issues.”
As protests spread beyond Los Angeles and tensions simmer, both state leaders and community members remain wary of the implications of federal military presence in civil affairs, questioning the administration’s motives and long-term objectives.
image source from：https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/12/national-guard-expecting-a-ramp-up-in-immigration-protests-says-official
