Trump Sends 2,000 More National Guard Troops to L.A.; California Sues Over ‘Unconstitutional’ Move

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal law enforcement officers. The Department of Defense confirmed the move on Monday, just two days after Trump warned of tough action against protests following recent immigration arrests.

Sean Parnell, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, announced on social media platform X that the troops would be mobilized under federal authority to help ICE agents carry out their duties safely. “On the President’s order, the Department of Defense is mobilizing an additional 2,000 California National Guard who will be called into federal service to support ICE,” he wrote.

The deployment comes on the same day California filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the order. In its 24th legal action against the Trump administration in 19 weeks, California officials argue that the president’s move violates the 10th Amendment and federal law by bypassing the authority of Governor Gavin Newsom.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta denounced the deployment, calling it “unnecessary, counterproductive, and unlawful.” He stated that Trump’s federalization of the California National Guard was done without the governor’s consent and ignored local law enforcement’s opposition.

In a separate post on X, Governor Newsom accused Trump of “taking over the state militia and creating fear and terror in violation of the U.S. Constitution.” He also claimed that the Department of Defense ignored his request to cancel the mobilization.

The White House responded to California’s lawsuit with sharp criticism. Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said, “It’s pathetic that Newsom is more focused on saving his own image than protecting law enforcement and holding criminals accountable. As the president said, Newsom should thank him for restoring law and order.”

The controversy erupted after ICE agents conducted a series of raids across Los Angeles, arresting dozens of undocumented immigrants. The operations sparked widespread protests and drew strong reactions from immigrant rights advocates and local officials, escalating the confrontation between the federal government and California over immigration enforcement and states’ rights.