WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard members to respond to immigration protests in Los Angeles, according to the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson. The latest order brings the total number of Guard put on federal orders for the protests to more than 4,100.
The news comes hours after the Pentagon deployed about 700 Marines to the protests to work alongside local law enforcement.
The initial 2,100 National Guard members were expected to be on the ground in LA Monday evening, but it wasn't yet clear if they had all arrived.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the National Guard deployment “unlawful” and said it “trampled” on the state's sovereignty. Bonta sued the Trump administration Monday in response. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, told MSNBC that he also plans to file suit Monday against the Trump administration.
This appears to be the first time in decades that a state’s National Guard was activated without a request from its governor.
Trump has cited a legal provision that allows him to mobilize federal service members when there is “a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.”
Here is a look at the latest:
‘Our city is trying to move forward’
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ended a news briefing with a plea to the federal government: “Stop the raids.”
“I hope that we will be heard because our city is trying to move forward, and I believe the federal government should be supportive.”
LA mayor says local immigrant rights groups have confirmed at least 5 ICE raids
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said they were still working to compile more information on the raids that took place throughout LA.
She also criticized the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines, calling it a “deliberate attempt” by the Trump administration to “create disorder and chaos in our city.”
“I feel like we are part of an experiment that we did not ask to be a part of,” Bass said.