What's going on in LA and why has the National Guard been deployed?

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National guard troops are patrolling parts of Los Angeles after United States President Donald Trump authorised deployment amid protests over federal immigration raids, triggering political backlash and clashes in the nation’s second-largest city.

The military said troops were conducting “safety and protection of federal property and personnel”. Helmeted troops in camouflage gear, carrying guns, were stationed at a detention centre downtown, where pepper spray and tear gas were fired into a crowd.

The order came from Trump, without state approval, in response to several days of protests over federal immigration raids.

It has become the latest focal point in a national debate over immigration, protest rights and the use of federal force in domestic affairs.

Why did the protests start?

The weekend’s unrest started on Saturday AEST after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted enforcement operations in the city, arresting at least 44 people on alleged immigration violations.

Angelica Salas, executive director of the immigrants’ rights organisation CHIRLA, said lawyers had not had access to those detained, which she called “very worrying”.

Trump has pledged to deport record numbers of people in the country illegally and lock down the US-Mexico border, with the White House setting a goal for ICE to arrest at least 3,000 migrants per day.

But the sweeping immigration crackdown has also caught up people legally residing in the country, including some with permanent residence, and has led to legal challenges.

The ICE operations prompted a first round of protests, with raids occurring around a Home Depot store, as well as a garment factory and a warehouse, Salas said.

What was the initial response?

The protests started in downtown LA, before spreading on Sunday AEST to Paramount — a heavily Latino city in the LA county — and neighbouring Compton.

Officers in uniform stand in a line with a burnt car visible in the foreground.

Around 300 troops arrived in LA amid ongoing protests, with some later facing off with demonstrators in front of a detention centre, as the situation escalated. Source: AAP / Eric Thayer/AP

As federal agents set up a staging area near a Home Depot in Paramount, demonstrators tried to block border patrol vehicles, with some hurling rocks and chunks of cement.

In response, agents in riot gear unleashed tear gas, flash-bang explosives and pepper balls.

When did Donald Trump step in?

On Saturday evening AEST, Trump signed a memorandum deploying 2,000 national guardsmen “to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester”, a statement from the White House said.

“The Trump administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behaviour and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs. These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice,” the statement said.

It also accused the state’s Democrat leaders of “completely abdicat[ing] their responsibility to protect their citizens”.

Around 300 troops arrived in LA overnight, with some later facing off with protesters in front of the Metropolitan Detention Centre, as the situation escalated.

What is the national guard?

The US national guard — a state-based reserve military — is frequently used in natural disasters, and occasionally in instances of civil unrest, but almost always with the consent of local authorities.

Trump’s deployment came despite the objections of California governor Gavin Newsom.

The last time the national guard was activated without a governor’s permission was in 1965, when then-president Lyndon B Johnson sent troops to protect a civil rights march in Alabama, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.

A woman with her back turned waves a flag, surrounded by tear gas.

A woman waves a Mexican flag amid tear gas from law enforcement during a protest in the Paramount section of Los Angeles. Source: AAP / Eric Thayer/AP

What has the response been?

Trump’s decision has prompted swift backlash and division along party lines.

Newsom accused Trump of “moving to take over the California National Guard” not due to a shortage of law enforcement but “because they want a spectacle”.

“Don’t give them one. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully,” he posted on X.

“Important to remember that Trump isn’t trying to heal or keep the peace. He is looking to inflame and divide,” Democratic senator Chris Murphy said in one of the most direct rebukes.

“His [Trump] movement doesn’t believe in democracy or protest — and if they get a chance to end the rule of law, they will take it.”

A joint statement from 22 Democratic governors also condemned Trump’s decision, calling it an “alarming abuse of power”.

“Governors are the commanders in chief of their national guard and the federal government activating them in their own borders without consulting or working with a state’s governor is ineffective and dangerous,” the statement said.

But Republicans lined up behind Trump to dismiss the pushback.

“I have no concern about that at all,” said Republican house speaker Mike Johnson, accusing Newsom of “an inability or unwillingness to do what is necessary”.

What’s next?

Trump, asked about the use of troops, hinted at a more widespread deployment in other parts of the country.

“You have violent people, and we are not going to let them get away with it,” he told reporters. “I think you’re going to see some very strong law and order.”

Tear gas, rubber bullets and fires as President Trump deploys national guard troops to LA protests image

Responding to a question about invoking the Insurrection Act — which would allow the military to be used as a domestic police force — Trump said: “We’re looking at troops everywhere. We’re not going to let this happen to our country.”

In a signal of the administration’s aggressive approach, defence secretary Pete Hegseth also threatened to deploy active-duty marines “if violence continues” in the region.

Newsom has formally requested the administration rescind its national guard order.

In response, a White House spokesperson told Reuters: “President Trump rightfully stepped in to restore law and order because of Gavin Newsom’s feckless leadership and his refusal to stop the violent attacks on American law enforcement.”