More U.S. Troops Deployed in LA Than in Iraq and Syria

U.S. President Donald Trump has deployed more troops to the city of Los Angeles, California, to suppress ongoing protests against his tough immigration policy than the number of U.S. troops currently stationed in Iraq and Syria.

According to reports from ABC News, the Trump administration has deployed nearly 4,000 National Guard members and over 700 active-duty Marines in the city. That brings the total number of troops in Los Angeles to around 4,800 — whereas there are 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq and 1,500 in Syria.

According to the Pentagon, this deployment will cost taxpayers $134 million over two months.

Protests Erupt in Los Angeles
The protests began on June 6, following a mass arrest operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting undocumented immigrants. By the evening of the next day, at least 44 people had been arrested.

This sparked widespread outrage among local residents, and the protest quickly escalated into riots. In response, President Trump ordered the deployment of troops to Los Angeles.

However, California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for taking such a step without consulting him.

In a televised address, Governor Newsom said, “Democracy is under attack before our eyes. California may be the first, but this won’t be the last.”

Trump’s Stance on Immigration
During his previous election campaign, Trump had branded undocumented immigrants as "illegal intruders" — a position he continues to reflect in office. Despite objections from the governor, Trump has ordered the deployment of National Guard forces, using immigration as a political tool, critics claim.

Meanwhile, protests against the anti-immigration crackdown spread across the United States on Wednesday, even amid military-backed suppression in Los Angeles. Despite threats of using serious force, Trump has not been able to stop the movement.

Announcement to Withdraw Troops from the Middle East
Amid the domestic crisis, Trump also announced that U.S. troops would be withdrawn from the Middle East. In a statement on Wednesday, he said, “The Middle East has become a dangerous place.”

He added, “The United States will never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.”

This announcement makes it clear that during times of domestic unrest, Trump is pursuing a strategy of withdrawing from foreign military operations while taking a hardline stance on immigration to strengthen his position in domestic politics.