By Tiffany Williams –
Tensions are escalating in Los Angeles as U.S. Northern Command confirmed this afternoon the deployment of 700 Marines to the city amid ongoing unrest. The Marine infantry battalion, specifically the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, had been placed on alert status over the weekend. They will be integrated with the Title 10 forces operating under Task Force 51, which is tasked with safeguarding federal personnel and government property in the greater Los Angeles area.
U.S. Northern Command stated, “The activation of the Marines is intended to provide Task Force 51 with adequate numbers of forces to provide continuous coverage of the area in support of the lead federal agency.” This Task Force, commanded by Major General Scott M. Sherman, serves as U.S. Army North’s Contingency Command Post. It is equipped to partner rapidly with civil authorities and Defense Department entities in response to Homeland Defense and Homeland Security Operations. In total, Task Force 51 comprises approximately 2,100 National Guard soldiers operating under Title 10 status, in addition to the 700 active-duty Marines. The personnel have received training in de-escalation techniques, crowd control, and the standing rules for the use of force.
Earlier today, President Trump commented on the decision to deploy Marines in California, stating, “We’ll see what happens. I mean, I think we have it very well under control. I think it would have been a very bad situation. It was heading in the wrong direction. It’s now heading in the right direction. And we hope to have the support of Gavin, because Gavin is the big beneficiary as we straighten out his problems. I mean, his state is a mess.”
In a separate statement, the White House characterized the ongoing unrest, stating, “Radical left lunatics are taking to the streets of Los Angeles — attacking law enforcement, hurling projectiles at police cruisers, burning vehicles, and shutting down freeways — because the Trump Administration is removing violent criminal illegal immigrants from their communities.”
They also emphasized the role of California officials: “Democrats like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass should be thanking President Trump for stepping up and leading where they refused — and for ridding their streets of criminal illegal immigrant killers, rapists, and gangbangers.”
Tom Homan, who serves as Trump’s “border czar,” issued a warning over the weekend regarding the continuity of immigration operations and federal personnel presence in Los Angeles, despite criticisms from local Democratic leaders who have cautioned that these actions could escalate tensions further. He suggested that arrests could be made for any obstruction of immigration enforcement efforts, including those of Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, although he noted that neither had “crossed the line” just yet.
In an interview on MSNBC with NBC News’ Jacob Soboroff, Newsom directly challenged Homan, saying, “He’s a tough guy. Why doesn’t he do that? He knows where to find me.” Newsom added, “That kind of bloviating is exhausting. So, Tom, arrest me. Let’s go.”
When President Trump was later asked about Governor Newsom’s bold remark and whether Homan should follow through with the arrest, he responded, “I’d do it if I were Tom. I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity…. He’s done a terrible job. I like Gavin Newsom, he’s a nice guy but he’s grossly incompetent, everybody knows.”
In his remarks regarding the protesters in Los Angeles, Trump referred to them as “professional agitators,” asserting, “They’re insurrectionists. They’re bad people, and they should be in jail.”
In response, California Governor Newsom announced his intention to surge additional state and regional law enforcement resources into Los Angeles. He stated, “After the President acted illegally to federalize the National Guard, who subsequently became the focus of large scale protests, the state is working with local partners to surge 800+ additional state and local law enforcement officers into Los Angeles to clean up President Trump’s mess.”
California’s mutual aid system, long overseen by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, has facilitated coordination among neighboring law enforcement agencies during emergencies for decades. As a precaution, Gov. Newsom has activated the State Operations Center to ensure enhanced vigilance and response in the coming days.
“While Washington choreographed these chaotic events, the LAPD and local law enforcement continue to effectively respond,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “There is a strong local mutual aid agreement here in California and it has already been activated according to policy. To our local law enforcement partners: thank you for having our back just as we have yours.”
Through a collaborative effort known as a joint unified command, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) are enhancing public safety in response to escalating tensions in the region. In a decisive move, the Governor has deployed five specialized CHP Special Response Teams, comprising nearly 400 additional officers, to bolster LAPD operations throughout Los Angeles. Furthermore, CHP has implemented a regional Tactical Alert, mobilizing over 200 officers to prioritize roadway and highway safety in the city, ensuring safe passage for both emergency responders and the public.
“The California Highway Patrol’s top priority is the safety of every community we serve. We are working in full coordination with our local and state public safety partners to ensure a unified, strategic response,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “The CHP is committed to restoring calm and protecting our communities with professionalism and resolve.”
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, in conjunction with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), has formally requested mutual aid from law enforcement agencies both within Los Angeles County and from neighboring jurisdictions. This collaboration has resulted in the deployment of 20 deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, 83 deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, 32 deputies from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, 44 deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, and 80 officers from various municipal police agencies across Los Angeles County.
In addition, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has already sent more than 200 deputies to assist the LAPD, reinforcing the concerted effort to maintain order amidst civil unrest.
“This collaboration ensures a unified response and reinforces public safety efforts across the region. The Department remains committed to leveraging all available mutual aid channels to protect our communities and support our regional partners during the ongoing civil unrest,” remarked Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell expressed gratitude for the swift and coordinated response from mutual aid partners, emphasizing, “This unified effort allows us to maintain public safety, officer safety and restore order. I also want to use this opportunity to thank those who have protested peacefully. To those who continue to incite violence and vandalize our communities, our investigative teams are actively reviewing video footage and pursuing all leads. Just because you haven’t been arrested yet, doesn’t mean you won’t be.”
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman issued a stern warning, stating, “I want to make it crystal clear, you can hurl insults at whoever you want. However, if you hurl cinder blocks, light vehicles on fire, destroy property and assault law enforcement officers, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Our First Amendment right is precious and we will protect it, but if you cross the line and commit criminal acts, please know this is your warning.”
In response to unfolding events, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration, a move that he outlined on Monday in conjunction with California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
Gov. Newsom emphasized, “To end the illegal and unnecessary takeover of a CalGuard unit, which has needlessly escalated chaos and violence in the Los Angeles region. The lawsuit, which names President Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the Department of Defense, outlines why the takeover violates the U.S. Constitution and exceeds the President’s Title 10 authority, not only because the takeover occurred without the consent or input of the Governor, as federal law requires, but also because it was unwarranted.”
“Donald Trump is creating fear and terror by failing to adhere to the U.S. Constitution and overstepping his authority. This is a manufactured crisis to allow him to take over a state militia, damaging the very foundation of our republic,” Gov. Newsom said. “Every governor, red or blue, should reject this outrageous overreach. This is beyond incompetence — this is him intentionally causing chaos, terrorizing communities, and endangering the principles of our great democracy. It is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism. We will not let this stand.”