Once a President federalizes National Guard troops under Title 10 authority, they cease to function as state-controlled National Guard forces and become federal troops under the direct command of the President and the Department of Defense. They lose all state law enforcement authority, which they would have retained under Title 32 or state active duty status.
Federal Troops in Los Angeles as of June 10, 2025 (Title 10 – No Insurrection Act Invocation)
What They CAN Do:
Protect federal buildings, infrastructure, and personnel (e.g., ICE, DHS facilities).
Secure military assets and support continuity of federal operations.
Provide logistics, transportation, and communications support to federal agencies.
Defend themselves, other federal forces, and designated federal property if under direct threat.
Establish perimeters around federal installations under DoD force protection authority.
What They CANNOT Do:
Arrest, detain, or search civilians (no law enforcement authority).
Enforce state or local laws (no coordination with LAPD or California Highway Patrol for policing).
Disperse crowds, conduct riot control, or engage protesters directly.
Patrol city streets or neighborhoods in a policing role.
Conduct surveillance of civilians unrelated to direct protection of federal operations.
Federal troops are under strict limitations until the Insurrection Act is invoked, which it has not been as of today. They remain military support assets, not domestic police.
