Trump claims the troops are quelling protests. But California officials fear their real mission is bigger: militarizing mass deportation.

On Tuesday, the X page for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) posted photos of California National Guardsmen on the scene of a detention being carried out by an ICE agent with the caption "Photos from today's ICE Los Angeles immigration enforcement operation."

Some demonstrations have turned violent as protesters clashed with police, and in an extraordinary series of moves, Trump has deployed 4,000 National Guard members and 700 U.S. Marines to the city — all in opposition to California governor Gavin Newsom.

The temporary restraining order request alleges the deployment “escalates tensions and promotes (rather than quells) civil unrest.”

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, a former Watergate prosecutor, will decide whether Trump had the legal authority to federalize 4,000 California National Guard troops.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday defended the administration's mobilization of the National Guard and members of the Marine Corps to Los Angeles amid ongoing immigration protests.

Donald Trump’s mobilization of the National Guard to quell LA protests is a rare exercise of presidential power.

Trump said the state’s Democratic leaders should be grateful for his help, while Gavin Newsom said the president’s actions have ‘destabilized’ the situation.