• Trump deployed over 4,700 National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles amid immigration protests.
• California Governor Newsom has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the troop deployment.
• A federal judge denied Newsom's urgent request to block the deployment, prompting ongoing legal battles.

President Donald Trump's recent order to deploy more than 4,700 military personnel, including 700 Marines, to Los Angeles has sparked severe controversies and legal challenges, especially in light of ongoing protests against immigration enforcement actions. California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly condemned the deployment as an unlawful use of federal power and has filed a lawsuit aimed at preventing soldiers from engaging in law enforcement activities. Newsom described the decision as a "blatant abuse of power," accusing Trump of trying to inflate tensions for political gain, stating, "This is a day I hoped I would never see in America" according to Channel News Asia and India Times.

The legal dispute took a significant turn when a federal judge, Charles Breyer, denied Newsom's urgent motion to block the deployment and allowed the Trump administration extra time to respond to the state's lawsuit. The lawsuit aims to secure a restraining order against what the state deems an illegal deployment of federal troops in a manner that infringes upon California's sovereignty and local governance. Newsom’s lawsuit articulates that this federal action not only escalates tensions but categorizes military personnel as potential threats to American citizens' safety, a claim echoed by several legal experts and advocates for civil liberties according to The Hill and India Times.

In response to increasing chaos from protests ignited by aggressive immigration raids, demonstrators have taken to the streets of Los Angeles, with reports of violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement. The protests have since spread across the country, mirroring escalating tensions in other cities regarding federal immigration policies. Despite the unrest, some polls indicate mixed support for Trump's actions among the public, as he aims to position his actions as necessary for public safety. "The protesters are seen as animals—their violence can justify the presence of troops," stated Rick Mullaney, underscoring the Trump administration's narrative in favor of federal intervention according to ABC News.

The controversial invocation of Section 12406 of Title 10 allows Trump to call troops into federal service in cases of rebellion or civil unrest, a legal argument that Governor Newsom is challenging on various grounds. Legal analysts have highlighted that the boundaries regarding military involvement in civil matters remain vague, permitting the president considerable discretion. Yet, some argue that the situation in Los Angeles does not warrant such federal action, as comparable civil unrest has historically been managed at the state level without military intervention, aligning with Newsom's stance that local authorities should handle such matters according to India Times and Channel News Asia.