The Trump administration sends an additional 2,000 troops to a city with protests against ICE

The Department of Defense is deploying more National Guard troops to safeguard federal property amidst protests against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles.

In response to the situation, a statement from U.S. Northern Command announced the activation of 2,000 additional California Army National Guard soldiers in a Title 10 status. This deployment is aimed at ensuring the protection of federal operations, personnel, and assets in the greater Los Angeles region, as per the directive of the Secretary of Defense.

The mobilized troops from the 49th Military Police Brigade will work alongside the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat team and the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. This joint effort will be coordinated under Task Force 51, led by Maj. Gen. Scott M. Sherman.

Demonstrators holding signs and flags face California National Guard members standing guard outside the Federal Building as they protest in response to federal immigration operations in Los Angeles on June 9, 2025. (APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images)

About two weeks ago, riots erupted in Paramount, California, just south of Los Angeles, after ICE conducted immigration sweeps in the city. Those riots quickly spread north, leading to several nights of showdowns between law enforcement and unruly bad actors. 

Stores in downtown Los Angeles were broken into and looted, and much of the downtown area was vandalized with anti-ICE and anti-Trump graffiti. 

Several “Kill Trump” messages were graffitied in the city’s downtown. The U.S. Secret Service told Fox News Digital last week it was “aware” of the threatening messages. 

A rioter waves a Mexican national flag next to a car on fire during a protest following federal immigration operations, in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, violent behavior continues to flare up. 

A mob of 100 looters ransacked an AutoZone in southern Los Angeles early Monday morning, resulting in the reported loss of $67,000 in merchandise. 

Detectives are investigating whether the looting episode is related to a “street takeover.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom’s office for comment. 

Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.