The Justice Department claims California's request to limit the federal response to violent riots in Los Angeles would "countermand" the president's lawful military directives.

The Justice Department called California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) attempt for a judge to limit President Trump’s National Guard deployment in Los Angeles a “crass political stunt endangering

President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard members to help respond to protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids.

The National Guard in Los Angeles has detained anti-ICE protesters while providing security for immigration operations, with officials expecting protests to escalate.

"Neither the National Guard nor the Marines are engaged in law enforcement," the DOJ's motion reads. "Rather, they are protecting law enforcement."

The National Guard has at times detained protesters in its deployment to Los Angeles, an official said Wednesday, as demonstrations against Immigration and Customs enforcement raids spread to other major cities.

Large crowds gathered near a federal detention center in downtown Los Angeles Friday protesting immigration raids that had taken place throughout the city.

California Governor Gavin Newsom accused President Donald Trump of misusing his power by mobilizing troops in Los Angeles and warned other states to prepare for similar unrest, as protests over immigration raids stretched into a fifth night and led to a curfew in parts of the city’s downtown.