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June 12, 2025 |
In a controversial escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump has deployed more American troops to Los Angeles than are currently stationed in Iraq and Syria combined. The move comes amid surging protests against aggressive immigration raids and has sparked legal and political backlash across the country.
According to Pentagon sources, more than 4,800 active-duty National Guard members and Marines have been deployed to Los Angeles—outnumbering the 2,500 troops in Iraq and 1,500 in Syria. The unprecedented domestic deployment aims to quell growing civil unrest triggered by mass immigration enforcement raids carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
ICE launched widespread detentions of undocumented immigrants on June 6. By the evening of June 7, at least 44 individuals were arrested on immigration-related charges. These actions ignited protests that quickly escalated into violent clashes in several neighborhoods of LA.
Despite lacking approval from California Governor Gavin Newsom, President Trump ordered the troop deployment, arguing it was necessary to restore law and order. The governor has since filed a lawsuit against the federal government, accusing the Trump administration of overreach and politicizing immigration enforcement.
“This is an attack on democracy unfolding right before our eyes,” Newsom said in a televised address late Tuesday. “California may be the starting point, but it won’t be the end.”
The Pentagon estimates the LA deployment will cost taxpayers $134 million over a 60-day period. Legal experts and civil rights groups have condemned the move as an authoritarian overstep, raising concerns about military involvement in civilian affairs.
Despite the backlash, Trump has continued to defend his decision, claiming that it reflects his commitment to national security and his 2024 campaign promise to tackle what he calls the “invasion” of undocumented immigrants.
Ironically, while increasing military presence at home, President Trump has also signaled intentions to reduce U.S. troop levels in the Middle East. During a press conference on Wednesday, he called the region a “dangerous place” and said American forces would be withdrawn over the coming months.
“We’re bringing them home,” Trump said. “The Middle East has become too unstable. But make no mistake—America will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.”
Despite the military crackdown in Los Angeles, protests have now spread to other major cities including Chicago, New York, and Atlanta. Demonstrators are calling for the immediate end of ICE raids and military involvement in civilian policing.
President Trump’s deployment is being seen as one of the boldest domestic military actions by a sitting U.S. president in recent decades—fueling fears of a deepening national crisis ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
