President Donald Trump’s recent deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles in response to large-scale immigration protests has ignited a political and legal showdown with California state officials.

Over the weekend, more than 2,000 National Guard members and U.S. Marines arrived in Los Angeles under Trump’s order, intensifying the federal presence near the Metropolitan Detention Center, where demonstrators have gathered for days to protest federal immigration enforcement. Clashes between protesters and security forces have escalated, with tear gas and crowd control tactics deployed amid tense standoffs.

The move has drawn fierce criticism from California leaders. Governor Gavin Newsom called the deployment a “gross abuse of federal power” and announced that the state has filed a lawsuit to block what he described as an unconstitutional use of military force. “This is not law and order — this is provocation and political theater,” Newsom said Monday.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed those concerns, accusing the Trump administration of attempting to “escalate tension and silence dissent.” She warned that the presence of federal troops was inflaming an already volatile situation and undermining local efforts to keep protests peaceful.

Despite the backlash, the White House defended the decision, citing concerns about unrest and damage to federal property. Administration officials argued that the deployment was necessary to maintain order and protect government facilities.

Legal experts say the president’s action may test the limits of the Insurrection Act — a rarely used 1807 law that allows the president to deploy military forces within the U.S. in specific emergency circumstances. Critics argue that the current situation does not meet that threshold and could set a dangerous precedent.

Protests have continued daily, with demonstrators demanding an end to mass immigration detentions and deportations. On Monday night, flashbangs and fireworks lit up the streets near the detention center, as police attempted to disperse crowds using kettling tactics. At least two dozen arrests were reported, though no major injuries were confirmed.

As tensions mount, all eyes are now on the federal courts, where California’s lawsuit could determine whether the troop deployment will stand. The outcome may not only affect the current crisis but could also reshape the boundaries of presidential power for future administrations.