National Guard troops rolled into Los Angeles early Sunday morning on orders from President Donald Trump after riots broke out across the city against immigration enforcement operations.
U.S. Northern Command confirmed over social media that members of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team had arrived in the city. More troops are expected to arrive; Trump ordered 2,000 to the Los Angeles area to quell unrest and protect federal agents from violent demonstrators.
“#USNORTHCOM can confirm that elements of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the California National Guard have begun deploying to the Los Angeles area, with some already on the ground. Additional information will be provided as units are identified and deployed,” Northern Command posted on X.
#USNORTHCOM can confirm that elements of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the California National Guard have begun deploying to the Los Angeles area, with some already on the ground. Additional information will be provided as units are identified and deployed. pic.twitter.com/BxqZM2YG1G
— U.S. Northern Command (@USNorthernCmd) June 8, 2025
National guardsmen have stationed themselves at multiple points around the region, including near Los Angeles City Hall and a federal detainment facility that was surrounded by thousands of protesters on Friday in a demonstration eventually forced apart by police.
🚨 #BREAKING: The National Guard has officially ARRIVED in Los Angeles after being deployed by President Trump
Troops are now staged in MULTIPLE parts of the city.
Their presence is being described as “large and GROWING” in anticipation of riots later today.
LFG! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/M1Y89atvSX
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 8, 2025
Trump thanked the National Guard in a post on Truth Social early Sunday.
“Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest. We have an incompetent Governor (Newscum) and Mayor (Bass) who were, as usual (just look at how they handled the fires, and now their VERY SLOW PERMITTING disaster. Federal permitting is complete!), unable to to handle the task,” the president said.
“These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT BE TOLERATED. Also, from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why??? Again, thank you to the National Guard for a job well done!” he added.
In addition to the National Guard, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Saturday that Marines at Camp Pendleton have been placed on high alert and are ready to assist in riot control if needed.
“The @DeptofDefense is mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles. And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert,” Hegseth said.
Over the weekend, protesters, many waving Mexican national flags, set fires, taunted and attacked law enforcement, and defaced property in demonstrations and riots against immigration enforcement operations around the area. One Customs and Border Patrol agent was wounded when a demonstrator threw a rock through the windshield of the agent’s vehicle.