Elements of the California National Guard’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team have begun deploying to Los Angeles, following orders from U.S. Northern Command amid escalating tensions related to federal immigration enforcement operations in the city.
The news was confirmed in a tweet by U.S. Northern Command late Saturday evening:
“#USNORTHCOM can confirm that elements of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the California National Guard have begun deploying to the Los Angeles area, with some already on the ground. Additional information will be provided as units are identified and deployed.”
The move comes in the wake of widespread protests sparked by a series of aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across Los Angeles earlier in the week. Those operations reportedly resulted in the detention of more than 120 undocumented individuals, drawing significant backlash from immigrant advocacy groups, civil rights organisations, and local officials.
#USNORTHCOM can confirm that elements of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the California National Guard have begun deploying to the Los Angeles area, with some already on the ground. Additional information will be provided as units are identified and deployed. pic.twitter.com/BxqZM2YG1G
— U.S. Northern Command (@USNorthernCmd) June 8, 2025
In response to what the White House described as a “threat to federal facilities and personnel,” President Trump invoked Title 10 authority to federalise the California National Guard—overriding the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom. This decision marks the first such action in California in decades and has reignited debate over the limits of federal power in domestic affairs.
According to Pentagon sources, around 2,000 National Guard personnel are expected to deploy, with approximately 300 troops already on the ground. These troops are reportedly being positioned around key federal buildings, including the Metropolitan Detention Center, U.S. District Court, and other sensitive locations in downtown Los Angeles.
Local officials have criticised the deployment as disproportionate and politically charged. Governor Newsom released a statement condemning the federal intervention, saying: “Californians can manage our own public safety. Turning our cities into military zones is not the answer.”
UPDATE- @TheCalGuard 79th IBCT has deployed approximately 300 soldiers to 3 separate locations in the greater Los Angeles area. They are conducting safety and protection of federal property & personnel. pic.twitter.com/70xqMN5myL
— U.S. Northern Command (@USNorthernCmd) June 8, 2025
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed that sentiment, warning that the presence of infantry units in urban neighbourhoods could “inflame tensions rather than ease them.”
Despite the heavy troop presence, the city remained largely calm on Sunday, with peaceful demonstrations continuing outside several ICE facilities and downtown government buildings.
Military officials insist the troops are present strictly to safeguard federal infrastructure and are not authorised to conduct law enforcement operations.
If state and local officials can’t keep the peace, the feds will.
Yep
Perhaps the administration requires to pull its forces back from Europe because it believes it needs to guard from some form of threat in North America
Russia and China are no longer the problem, Canada and California are the real threats.
I’m pretty sure America is now living in a South Park episode. How did the country that did Apollo come to this.
Canada a threat. What are you on?
Pretty sure he’s on sarcasm.
Who would have guessed, the Civil War could yet start in California, send in the Marines, what could possibly go wrong?
Trump created chaos to keep the newscycle off his other ongoing issues.
Nah…In the USA the feds are the authority for anything immigration, & the “leaders” of Cali and LA have done zero to keep the peace, this is the only option.
Yep.
For all their talk about “2nd ammendment rights” and “resisting tyranny” the bottom line is most MAGA leap at the opportunity to don jack boots and trample on people (some even make multiple accounts).
Very true.
This is entirely concocted by Trump as, at best, a PR stunt, at worst, an excuse to get to martial law.
Imagine a similar situation in the UK, the last people you would call out would be the Army Reserve (TA)!