National Guard troops, sent by Trump, arrive in LA area after protests

National Guard troops arrived in Los Angeles, Calif. on Sunday, June 8, a day after President Donald Trump signed a memorandum to deploy 2,000 members to the area in response to protests against federal immigration activity. It’s a move that drew swift condemnation from local officials, as well as Gov. Gavin Newsom.

U.S. Northern Command confirmed on X around 10 a.m. CT that elements of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the California National Guard began deploying to the Los Angeles area and that some were already on the ground.

“Additional information will be provided as units are identified and deployed,” U.S. Northern Command wrote.

Protests stemmed from sweeps by immigration authorities in Los Angeles County, which led to multiple arrests. On Saturday, June 7, a group of protesters demonstrated around a Paramount Home Depot, near where federal agents were staging at a Department of Homeland Security office, the Associated Press reported. Agents deployed tear gas, flash-bang explosives and pepper balls, the AP wrote, while protestors threw rocks and cement at Border Patrol vehicles.

The day before, there were more than 40 people arrested during immigration raids in Los Angeles, which also prompted demonstrations. Local media reported that law enforcement used flash-bang grenades and pepper spray during these protests.

Protests are expected to continue on June 8.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on X that “active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton” could be mobilized and are on “high alert” following the events of the previous couple of days.

“The Secretary of Defense is now threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens,” Newsom wrote in response. “This is deranged behavior.”

This story is developing and will be updated.