Fact Check: President Donald Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard members and 700 marines to quell anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles without consulting California Governor Gavin Newsom or notifying Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

Fact Check: "President Donald Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard members and 700 marines to quell anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles without consulting California Governor Gavin Newsom or notifying Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass."

What We Know

On June 9, 2025, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles, bringing the total number of National Guard troops to over 4,100, alongside 700 Marines, in response to protests against immigration enforcement by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) (AP News). This decision was made despite strong objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who both criticized the deployment as unnecessary and potentially escalating tensions in the city (AP News).

Governor Newsom publicly stated that the deployment was reckless and not about public safety, while Mayor Bass described it as a "deliberate attempt" by the Trump administration to create disorder (AP News, AP News). The deployment occurred without prior consultation with either state or city officials, which has been a point of contention in the aftermath of the decision (New York Times).

Analysis

The claim that President Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines without consulting Governor Newsom or notifying Mayor Bass is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press reported that the deployment was made against the explicit wishes of both leaders, who argued that federal forces were not needed to manage the protests (AP News). Furthermore, the New York Times confirmed that the deployment bypassed California's leadership, highlighting the lack of communication from the federal government regarding this military action (New York Times).

The credibility of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of reliable reporting. The Associated Press is known for its journalistic integrity and adherence to factual reporting standards. The New York Times, similarly, is a reputable source that provides in-depth coverage and analysis of significant events.

The criticism from local officials, particularly the statements made by Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass, reflects a broader concern about federal overreach and the implications of deploying military forces in civilian contexts. Both officials emphasized that such actions could exacerbate tensions rather than alleviate them, which aligns with their public statements and the context of the protests (AP News, AP News).

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The claim that President Donald Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to quell anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles without consulting California Governor Gavin Newsom or notifying Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is accurate. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that the deployment occurred without the necessary communication or consent from state and city leadership, leading to significant criticism from those officials.

Sources

1. LA protests coverage: June 9, 2025 | AP News
2. Los Angeles leaders impose curfew as protests against ... | AP News
3. Is 4,700 federal troops a big deployment? - The New York Times
4. Marines deployed to LA to respond to immigration protests | AP News
5. Everything we know about the protests in LA and other US cities | BBC
6. Trump mobilizes Marines, 2,000 additional National Guard troops | Washington Post
7. Newsom Slams Trump For 'Brazen Abuse of Power' as L.A. ... - The New York Times
8. Protests live updates: Marines make 1st temporary detention ... | ABC News