President Donald Trump’s unprecedented decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles--without the state’s consent--has ignited a political firestorm and plunged California’s largest city into a reckoning over its identity as a sanctuary for immigrants.

Signed under Title 10 authority late Saturday, Trump’s federal order bypassed California Governor Gavin Newsom and marked a rare use of military force in a domestic dispute. The move comes amid intensifying immigration raids, growing civil unrest, and accusations that Los Angeles has violated its own sanctuary city laws by cooperating with federal agents.

What began as targeted enforcement by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has spiralled into a full-blown crisis--complete with tear gas, street clashes, and sweeping arrests. For LA, a city that just months ago reaffirmed its promise to shield undocumented residents, the past weekend has brought not just conflict, but a crisis of credibility.

What does the Title 10 authority mean?

The president’s use of Title 10 allows federal control of the National Guard, bypassing the usual requirement for a governor’s request. This authority waives the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally limits the use of the military in domestic law enforcement.

The deployment aims to protect federal property and personnel, supporting immigration enforcement agencies such as ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Protective Service.

How did the protests begin?

The unrest began on Friday, 7 June, following coordinated ICE raids across Los Angeles. Federal agents executed search warrants at multiple sites--including a clothing warehouse in the Fashion District--targeting employers accused of using falsified documents. Protesters quickly gathered at raid locations, trying to block ICE vehicles from leaving.

Demonstrations spread across the city, with reports of immigration detentions outside Home Depot stores and local businesses. Crowds also gathered near the Metropolitan Detention Centre, where some believed detainees were being held in its basement. The protests turned confrontational, particularly in the cities of Paramount and Compton, where objects were thrown at law enforcement and a vehicle was set ablaze.

Trump’s federal response: A military escalation

By Saturday evening, President Trump announced the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops, bypassing California Governor Gavin Newsom. “If Newsom and Bass can’t do their jobs, we will,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “We will restore law and order.”

The troops were sent under Title 10, allowing them to act as federal forces rather than state units. While technically limited to protecting federal property and personnel, critics say the deployment has had an intimidating effect on protesters and immigrant communities.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Marines from Camp Pendleton are also on standby, and the administration warned that more active-duty military could be sent if protests continue.

Has Los Angeles broken its Sanctuary promise?

The crisis has also put Los Angeles’ sanctuary city status under the spotlight. In November 2024, the LA City Council passed an ordinance enshrining the city’s commitment to non-cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The law explicitly prohibited the use of city personnel, data, or property to support federal immigration enforcement.

However, during the recent raids, witnesses and advocacy groups--including the ACLU of Southern California--reported LAPD officers working alongside ICE and federal agents.

“This was a paramilitary operation,” said ACLU policy counsel Andres Kwon. “The LAPD’s involvement is a betrayal of the city’s sanctuary ordinance and the immigrant communities they promised to protect.”

The ACLU is now calling for an investigation and immediate suspension of any cooperation between the LAPD and federal agencies.

Who was detained in the raids?

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the ICE operations resulted in the arrests of 118 undocumented immigrants, including 44 individuals on Friday alone. Of those, five were said to be linked to organised crime, while others had prior criminal records. ICE also reported that eight American citizens were arrested for obstruction, with two minors expected to be released.

Among those detained was David Huerta, a prominent union leader, who is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre ahead of a court appearance. Justice Department officials have not yet confirmed the charges against him.

Local and state officials react

Governor Gavin Newsom has denounced the National Guard deployment as a “serious breach of state sovereignty.” He accused the Trump administration of bypassing protocol and inflaming tensions in a city already on edge.

“There is no justification for this federal overreach,” Newsom said in a letter to the Secretary of Defense. “The National Guard is being used not to maintain peace, but to provoke fear.”

Mayor Karen Bass echoed the criticism, insisting that Los Angeles has the resources and personnel to manage protests peacefully. “The presence of troops will not de-escalate this situation—it will worsen it,” she said at a press conference.

Public outcry and political fallout

The backlash has been swift and vocal. Videos of tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and National Guard patrols through LA’s streets have gone viral. Activists are demanding transparency from city officials and clarification on how local police became involved in federal operations.

Slogans such as “Los Angeles Sanctuary City Now!” and “ICE Out of California” have re-emerged on placards and across social media. Councilmember Nithya Raman, who helped draft the 2024 ordinance, has called for a full review of police conduct during the raids.

Meanwhile, President Trump has continued to praise the federal response and taunt California’s leaders. “They couldn’t handle the chaos,” he said on Sunday. “We’re not going to let our cities fall to illegal immigrants and radical left protestors.”

What happens next?

ICE operations are expected to continue daily in Los Angeles County for the next 30 days. With National Guard troops now stationed at multiple sites, including near key federal buildings and detention centres, protests are likely to persist.

Civil rights groups have called on the LA City Council to strictly enforce the sanctuary ordinance and investigate the LAPD’s involvement. If confirmed, any cooperation with ICE would not only violate city law but could irreparably damage the city's trust with immigrant communities.