There's No Proof That LA Police Chief Asked For Federal Assistance

In a bid to justify his deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, President Donald Trump has misrepresented statements made by LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. Trump asserted that McDonnell indicated the immigration protest situation had escalated beyond police control, suggesting that help was needed. However, McDonnell did not request federal assistance, clarifying that local and state law enforcement would typically coordinate before involving federal resources. Following three days of protests—triggered by increased immigration arrests—the LAPD reported manageable crowd levels with no immediate need for federal troops. McDonnell later specified that the National Guard was not assigned to assist local officers in maintaining public order. Although he acknowledged law enforcement was challenged, he strongly contradicted any claims that national support was sought or necessary, noting that existing local agencies were adequately equipped to handle the situation. McDonnell emphasized that federal troops have different objectives, primarily focused on immigration enforcement.