President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles, California, in response to protests against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

This action has drawn significant attention, as it occurs without a request from California Governor Gavin Newsom, marking an unusual federal intervention in state affairs.

The last instance of such direct intervention by the federal government was in 1965 during civil rights protests.

Typically, decisions regarding the National Guard's deployment are made by state governors.

Governor Newsom expressed strong disapproval, stating that the situation should be managed by local law enforcement and that the federal order could escalate existing tensions.

He criticized Trump's directive as "deliberately provocative."

In a statement via his social media platform, Trump referred to Newsom disparagingly and accused him and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, both Democrats, of failing in their duties to manage local issues.

The president argued that the unfolding protests pose a threat to law enforcement's ability to maintain order and, as such, justify federal intervention under certain circumstances.

The federal government can invoke its authority to activate the National Guard in situations including threats of invasion, civil insurrection, or when local governments fail to maintain public order.

Trump cited that the protests in Los Angeles represent a form of rebellion against federal authority, thus legitimizing his decision.

The initial contingent of National Guard personnel arrived in the afternoon, local time, with plans for more vehicles and reservists to follow in the coming hours.

The deployment has rekindled the debate over the balance of power between federal and state governments in managing civil unrest.