Donald Trump says 'thank God we sent out the National Guard' to Los Angeles over immigration protests as California sues President for deploying troops

Sky News AU

4 hours ago

US President Donald Trump has defended his call to deploy hundreds of National Guards to Los Angeles over immigration protests as he repeated a threat following violent demonstrations.
United States President Donald Trump has stood by his decision to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles following days of violent protests over immigration raids.
Streets in the Californian capital descended into chaos on Friday (local time) after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers made dozens of arrests across the city over allegations of immigration violations as part of the administration's crackdown.
Protesters clashed with police and agents as they attempted to carry out arrests, leading to law enforcement to use flash bangs and pepper spray to quell the crowd.
Amid the escalating demonstrations, President Trump has ordered 2,000 California National Guards to the streets of Los Angeles as rallies continue in the City of Angels.
The leader of the free world defended his decision to federalise troops, claiming Los Angeles would have been "completely obliterated" if he did not make the order.
"We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to seal with the violent, instigated riots in California. If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated," he wrote to Truth Social on Monday.
The President hit out at Californian Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass who have been critical about sending in the National Guard.
'The very incompetent 'Governor,' Gavin Newscum, and 'Mayor,' Karen Bass, should be saying, 'Thank you, President Trump, you are so wonderful. We would be nothing without out, sir.' Instead, they choose to lie to the people of California and America by saying we weren't needed, and these are 'peaceful protests'," he said.
"Just one look at the pictures and videos of the violence and destruction tells you all you have to know. We will always do what is needed to keep our Citizens safe so we can, together, make America great again!'
According to Reuters, the US military will send 700 marines to LA.
A US official said a battalion would arrived within the next 24 hours.
President Trump had earlier hinted at deploying marines.
"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," he said.
"It's now heading in the right direction."
Governor Newsom has threatened to sue the Trump administration, claiming sending in troops is illegal and it is a "manufactured crisis" by the President.
"He is creating fear and terror to take over a state militia and violate the US constitution. The illegal order he signed could allow him to send the military into any state he wishes. This is an unmistakeable step toward authoritarianism that threatens the foundation of our republic. We cannot let it stand," he wrote to X.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a release that his office had sued. Reuters could not immediately confirm that a lawsuit had been filed.
As the war of words continues, Governor Newsom claimed some 300 National Guards already on the ground had been sent in "without fuel, food, water or place to sleep". — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 9, 2025
Returning to the White House on Monday after a night at Camp David, President Trump was asked whether his border czar, Tom Homan - who has threatened to arrest anyone who obstructs immigration officers be detained - should arrest Governor Newsom.
"I would do it if I were Tom. I think it's great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing," the US commander-in-chief said to a reporter.
President Trump also repeated a threat from the weekend, saying "if they spit, we will hit" after claims protesters spat at guards and agents.
"I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before. Such disrespect will not be tolerated!" he wrote to Truth Social.
Demonstrators have gathered on Monday afternoon (local time) rallying against the raids, with the protests appearing peaceful so far with no major issues.
Police and other law enforcement are on standby across the city.
This all comes as the Trump administration's travel ban takes effect.
Residents from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen are "fully" restricted from entering.
Meanwhile, nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela will be partly restricted.