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By Dan Gooding and Hannah Parry
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United States Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy the military in Los Angeles to arrest "lawbreakers" in the riots.
In the Sunday letter, first obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle, Noem asked Hegseth to direct the military forces to "either detain, just as they would at any federal facility guarded by military, lawbreakers under Title 18 until they can be arrested and processed by federal law enforcement, or arrest them."
She also requested the Defense Department send military drones and weapons to assist law enforcement during the riots, which broke out after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out multiple raids across L.A.
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"This letter was sent days ago, prior to the Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of Defense meeting with the President. The posture of our brave troops has not changed," Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek in a statement. "This is a whole-of-government approach to restore law and order. We are grateful to our military members and law enforcement who have acted with patriotism in the face of assault, taunts, and violence."
Newsweek reached out to the Department of Defense for comment via email on Tuesday afternoon.
Why It Matters
Federal laws generally prevent the military from taking part in federal law enforcement, but President Donald Trump has floated the use of military personnel to assist with immigration enforcement and used his powers to send the National Guard to Los Angeles over the weekend.
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What To Know
The Chronicle reported that Noem's letter referred to a request for assistance from the DOD, stemming from the situation unfolding in California between federal agents under her department and those protesting against ICE's actions.
Noem said the assistance was needed as her agents defended against "invasive, violent, insurrectionist mobs that seek to protect invaders and military aged males belonging to identified foreign terrorist organizations, and who seek to prevent the deportation of criminal aliens."
The language reportedly used by Noem was familiar to that used by the Trump administration overall to describe immigrants without legal status, whom it is targeting for deportation.
While protests did turn violent in some parts of L.A. over the weekend, with vehicles burned and businesses looted, the situation appeared to be under control by Monday morning, despite many streets requiring cleanup.
Using the military, through the DOD, to bolster the administration's efforts in Los Angeles and elsewhere would require the president to invoke the Insurrection Act, which was last used during riots in 1992, following the Rodney King police beating and trial in the city.
Bringing in forces generally used for the defense of the U.S. overseas would potentially blur the lines between what local and state law enforcement are responsible for versus federal agencies.
Trump told reporters Tuesday that he would consider invoking the act if the situation in California were to continue. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Trump was well within his authority to do so.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both Democrats, have both tried to assert their authority over the situation, arguing that local law enforcement were the ones to bring the riots under control, not the National Guard troops deployed by the president.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday: "If there's an insurrection, I would certainly invoke [the Insurrection Act]. We will see...If we didn't get involved, right now Los Angeles would be burning."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, on X, formerly Twitter: "Let me be clear: ANYONE who vandalized Downtown or looted stores does not care about our immigrant communities. You will be held accountable."
House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking to reporters Tuesday: "The number one job of government is to protect the citizenry from foreign threats and domestic threats, and federal law enforcement is doing its job."
California Governor Gavin Newsom, in a statement on Monday: "Donald Trump is creating fear and terror by failing to adhere to the U.S. Constitution and overstepping his authority. This is a manufactured crisis to allow him to take over a state militia, damaging the very foundation of our republic. Every governor, red or blue, should reject this outrageous overreach."
What Happens Next
Newsom is suing the president over his use of the National Guard, while Trump has stated that troops will remain in the state until there is "no danger."
Update 6/10/25, 1:59 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 6/10/25, 5:17 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
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