Trump Deploys Marines, Boosts National Guard Amid Los Angeles ICE Protests; California Sues

Federal Troop Deployment Escalates Amid Los Angeles Immigration Protests

Los Angeles, CA – Tensions flared in Los Angeles on Monday, June 10, 2025, as the city grappled with escalating protests following a recent wave of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. In a significant move, the Trump administration announced the deployment of 700 U.S. Marines to the metropolitan area, further intensifying the federal response to the civil unrest.

The Marines, drawn from Camp Pendleton, are expected to arrive by Monday evening, according to federal authorities. This deployment comes on the heels of an earlier influx of National Guard troops, bringing the total National Guard presence in Los Angeles to 4,000 personnel. An additional 2,000 National Guard troops had been dispatched prior to this latest announcement, doubling their footprint in the city.

State and Local Officials Condemn Federal Action

The federal government’s decision to deploy military assets to Los Angeles drew swift and sharp condemnation from California state and city officials. California Governor Gavin Newsom characterized the move as a “blatant abuse of power” and announced that the state is filing a lawsuit in response to the deployment.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also voiced strong opposition, accusing the Trump administration of deliberately fostering chaos in the city. Mayor Bass suggested that the federal government was using Los Angeles as a “test case” for imposing authoritarian rule, contrasting the state of the city on Thursday, which she described as peaceful, with the unrest that erupted on Friday following the initial federal interventions.

“Our city was peaceful on Thursday,” Mayor Bass stated. “It was not peaceful on Friday, and that was a direct result of federal intervention and the decisions made by this administration. They are actively trying to create chaos and use Los Angeles as a testing ground.”

Key Figure Arrested and Released

Amidst the heightened tensions, a significant development occurred concerning David Huerta, the head of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in California. Huerta had been arrested by ICE on Friday, a move that further fueled the protests.

On Monday, June 10, Huerta was released on bond. He faces a serious charge of conspiring to impede an officer, a federal charge that carries a potential sentence of up to six years in federal prison if convicted. Speaking shortly after his release, Huerta called for justice for all detained immigrants, highlighting the broader concerns driving the current protests.

Access Denied to Detention Facilities

In a related matter, several Democratic Congressmembers from both California and New York reported being blocked from inspecting ICE facilities over the weekend. Lawmakers had sought access to the detention centers to assess conditions and understand the scope of the recent enforcement actions, but their requests were reportedly denied by federal authorities.

This denial of access adds another layer of controversy to the ongoing situation, raising questions about transparency and oversight concerning federal immigration operations during a period of intense public scrutiny.

Context of the Protests and Deployments

The protests that prompted the federal response were triggered by a series of ICE raids conducted across Los Angeles. Immigration advocates and civil liberties groups have heavily criticized these raids, arguing they disrupt communities and separate families.

The deployment of both National Guard troops and now U.S. Marines marks a significant escalation in the federal government’s approach to managing civil unrest tied to immigration enforcement. While the National Guard is often called upon by state governors during emergencies, the deployment of active-duty military personnel, such as the U.S. Marines, for domestic law enforcement purposes is highly unusual and legally complex, particularly when opposed by local and state authorities.

California’s lawsuit challenging the deployment is expected to focus on the legal basis for the federal government’s actions and whether they infringe upon state authority or civil liberties. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing protests and legal challenges poised to continue shaping the response in Los Angeles in the coming days.