U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stirred controversy on Tuesday by requesting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy U.S. troops in Los Angeles to assist in arresting protesters. However, shortly thereafter, the DHS retracted this statement, insisting that there had been no change in troop posture.
In an email to The Intercept, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs Tricia McLaughlin detailed Noem’s call for military intervention, citing a rise in violent protests against DHS personnel. “As rioters have escalated their assaults… Secretary Noem requested that Secretary Hegseth direct military personnel on the ground in Los Angeles to arrest rioters to help restore law and order,” she stated.
However, the DHS retracted this claim just hours later, asking for the previous statement to be disregarded and insisting that the troop deployment was unchanged. “Please disregard the previously sent statement… the posture of our brave troops has not changed,” wrote an unnamed official.
In recent days, President Donald Trump escalated the presence of federal troops— including National Guard and Marines—in Los Angeles amid ongoing protests against his policies. This deployment has faced criticism from local leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has labeled the actions an “illegal takeover” of the National Guard. Newsom has also urged the need for additional state law enforcement to restore order, emphasizing that the chaos is not what communities deserve.
Experts have cautioned against using active-duty military forces for law enforcement, which should be reserved for extreme circumstances, stating that the protests in question do not meet this threshold. Sara Haghdoosti of Win Without War commented on the militarization of protests, labeling it a tactic rooted in authoritarianism.
Despite assurances from the administration, the rhetoric surrounding the protests has raised concerns about perceptions of lawlessness in the city. Such statements contribute to fears rather than reflecting the more peaceful reality of protests, which are reportedly concentrated in a limited area of Downtown LA.
In her revised statement to The Intercept, McLaughlin referenced a letter from Noem requesting military powers to detain individuals involved in acts deemed unlawful, reiterating a government-wide commitment to restore order. The Pentagon has not commented on Noem’s request, leaving clarity on the expected military role in such civil unrest uncertain.
This situation highlights ongoing tensions in U.S. cities regarding federal involvement in public safety amid widespread protests. It serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between maintaining public order and preserving civil liberties, reflecting a broader national conversation about the role of law enforcement and military in domestic affairs.