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The Department of Defense is dispatching thousands more National Guard troops to safeguard federal properties during ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles.
“Following the directive of the Secretary of Defense and in coordination with U.S. Northern Command, an additional 2,000 soldiers from the California Army National Guard have been activated to assist in protecting federal operations, personnel, and property in the greater Los Angeles area,” as stated in a Tuesday announcement from U.S. Northern Command.
The announcement indicates that the 49th Military Police Brigade will join forces with the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, under the command of Task Force 51 led by Maj. Gen. Scott M. Sherman.
Protesters with signs and flags confront California National Guard members stationed outside the Federal Building during demonstrations against federal immigration operations in Los Angeles on June 9, 2025. (APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images)
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The task force, which has faced criticism since being deployed to the West Coast city amid a surge in violence linked to ICE immigration operations, will now consist of 4,100 National Guardsmen and 700 active-duty Marines.
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for mobilizing troops in California, claiming the president “illegally commandeered” 2,000 members of the state’s National Guard without consulting local law enforcement leaders.
“The INCOMPETENT Governor of California failed to provide timely protection when our ICE Officers, who are GREAT Patriots, were attacked by an unruly mob of agitators and insurrectionists,” Trump responded on TRUTH Social regarding the lawsuit. “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump have been at odds over the National Guard’s involvement during the Los Angeles riots. (Getty Images)
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued a ruling favoring Newsom.
An appellate court is currently reviewing the case.
Northern Command clarified that the troops will not serve in a civilian law enforcement role. Instead, they will “provide Task Force 51 with sufficient personnel to ensure continuous coverage of the area in support of the lead federal agency.”
“The soldiers are undergoing training in de-escalation, crowd control, and the standing rules of engagement prior to joining the federal protection mission,” the announcement stated.
Protesters demonstrate outside a downtown jail in Los Angeles following two days of confrontations with police during a string of immigration raids on June 8, 2025. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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About two weeks ago, riots broke out in Paramount, California, just south of Los Angeles, following ICE’s immigration sweeps in the area. The unrest quickly escalated, resulting in multiple evenings of clashes between law enforcement and disorderly individuals.
Businesses in downtown Los Angeles faced break-ins and vandalism, with anti-ICE and anti-Trump graffiti covering several buildings.
Messages proclaiming “Kill Trump” were spray-painted in downtown. The U.S. Secret Service informed Fox News Digital last week that it was “aware” of these harmful messages.
A protester waves a Mexican flag next to a burning car during a demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton area of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. (Getty Images)
Meanwhile, instances of violent behavior are still escalating.
A group of about 100 looters targeted an AutoZone in southern Los Angeles early Monday, resulting in an estimated $67,000 in stolen goods.
Detectives are investigating whether this looting incident is linked to a “street takeover.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Newsom’s office for further comments.
Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
