• Approximately 2,800 military personnel deployed to Los Angeles, including 1,700 National Guard troops and 700 Marines.
  • Forces operating under federal authority (Title 10) with a mission to protect federal property and personnel, but no arrest authority.
  • Deployment follows clashes between protesters and federal immigration authorities, escalating tensions between Trump and California leadership.

Federal Troops Take Position in Los Angeles

President Trump has ordered the deployment of nearly 2,800 military personnel to Los Angeles as of June 9, 2025, in response to ongoing protests tied to federal immigration enforcement actions. The contingent includes 1,700 soldiers from the California National Guard's 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 700 active-duty Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. These forces are operating under federal "Title 10" authority, bypassing state control despite objections from Governor Gavin Newsom.

Mission Parameters and Command Structure

The troops have been tasked with protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and securing federal property in protest zones, according to administration officials. However, they lack authority to arrest civilians. The operation falls under U.S. Northern Command's Task Force 51, led by Major General Scott M. Sherman, with personnel trained in crowd control and de-escalation tactics. A White House memorandum specifies the deployment will last at least 60 days, "or at the discretion of the secretary of defense."

Political Fallout and Local Response

The move has intensified the administration's feud with California officials, with Trump publicly criticizing both Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as "incompetent" in handling the situation. The deployment follows two days of violent clashes between protesters and federal immigration officers in riot gear. Protest organizers claim the military presence represents an unnecessary escalation, while administration officials argue it's required to maintain order during what they describe as a "rolling immigration enforcement action."

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the total number of deployed personnel. The correct figure is approximately 2,800.