Newsom denounces Trump as ‘deranged’ amid troop deployment to LA protests

President Donald Trump has deployed thousands of additional troops to Los Angeles following days of chaotic protests sparked by immigration raids, escalating tensions between his administration and California officials. The deployment, which includes 700 US Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops, has drawn sharp criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who condemned the move as a step toward authoritarianism.

Unprecedented troop deployment without state approval

For the first time since 1965, a US president has sent National Guard troops to a city without a governor's approval. The Marines, deployed from Twentynine Palms, California, are tasked with protecting federal property and personnel, including immigration agents. Trump’s administration has not yet invoked the Insurrection Act, which would permit troops to engage directly in civilian law enforcement.

California has filed a lawsuit arguing that Trump’s actions violate the US Constitution and state sovereignty. Newsom described the deployment as fulfilling "the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial president" and accused the administration of inflaming tensions for political gain.

LA protests erupt into chaos

The protests began on Friday after reports emerged of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Demonstrations quickly escalated, with incidents of looting, self-driving cars set ablaze, and rocks hurled at law enforcement. Protesters also blocked a major freeway, prompting a forceful response from police.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported using over 600 rubber bullets and other less-lethal rounds during the weekend. Authorities arrested 50 people over two days, with charges ranging from attempted murder with a Molotov cocktail to assault on police officers and looting.

On Monday, hundreds of protesters gathered outside a federal detention center in downtown Los Angeles, where undocumented immigrants are being held. Police used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowd, while National Guard troops formed a cordon around the building to prevent entry.

Trump defends deployment amid mounting criticism

At a White House briefing, Trump defended his decision to send in the National Guard, claiming it prevented Los Angeles from "burning down." He described the protests as riots and accused California officials of failing to maintain order.

"You watch the same clips I did: cars burning, people rioting. We stopped it," Trump said. He also suggested that Governor Newsom should be arrested for obstructing federal immigration enforcement efforts.

On social media, Trump warned protesters against confronting law enforcement, writing, "IF THEY SPIT, WE WILL HIT, and I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before."

California officials push back

Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have strongly condemned the troop deployment. Bass accused the Trump administration of deliberately creating chaos in the city, citing reports of ICE raids occurring near schools and residential areas. She called the actions a "calculated attempt" to provoke unrest.

Newsom’s administration filed a lawsuit on Monday, challenging the legality of the president’s decision to deploy troops without state consent. "This is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism," Newsom wrote on social media.

Trump’s immigration policies, including his pledge to deport record numbers of undocumented immigrants, have been a flashpoint in his presidency. His border security advisor, Tom Homan, praised the president’s actions in Los Angeles, calling the situation "out of control."

As protests continue to unfold across the country, tension between Trump and California leaders shows no signs of easing, with both sides accusing the other of exacerbating the crisis.