A police officer holds a nonlethal rifle as protesters confront California National Guard soldiers and police outside of a federal building on June 9 in Los Angeles. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
A plurality of Americans don’t approve of the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines in response to Los Angeles protests, the latest YouGov polling shows.
Why it matters: President Trump has militarized his approach to the movement against his policies. While voters favored Trump’s early approach on immigration, they’re souring on this response.
Catch up quick: Protesters in LA took to the streets starting Sunday to push back on several immigration enforcement actions in the area.
- The Trump administration federalized California’s National Guard on Saturday, despite opposition from state officials, and mobilized hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles.
- On Sunday, Trump ordered to deploy an additional 2,000 California National Guard troops to LA for 60 days. California Governor Gavin Newsom slammed the decision on X, calling it “Reckless” and “Pointless.”
- Meanwhile, about 700 Marines were also mobilized to respond to the protest in LA, although the troops’ mission is legally limited to protecting federal agents and property.
By the numbers: 47% of U.S. adults disapprove of of deploying the Marines to LA, with 34% approval.
- 45% disapprove the National Guard deployment, while 38% said they approve.
Yes, but: An equal share — 45% — also disapprove of the protests against ICE, per Monday YouGov polling.
- 36% said they approve of the protests, and 19% said they are not sure.
Zoom out: Historically, Americans have a history of disapproving civil rights protests and demonstrations.
Zoom in: The polling is largely along partisan lines.
- 58% of Democrats said they approved of the anti-ICE protests, compared to 15% of Republicans.
- 68% of Republicans and 12% of Democrats supported the Marine response, while 75% of Republicans and 13% of Democrats approved of the National Guard deployment.
