Morning Brief: Trump Deploys National Guard to Los Angeles Amid Violent Immigration Protests

Good morning! SOFREP’s Morning Brief is back with the latest insights on defense and global affairs for Sunday, June 8, 2025. At a glance: Trump sent 2,000 National Guard troops to LA after violent immigration protests, overriding California’s objections. Israel recovered a Thai hostage’s body from Gaza as airstrikes killed more civilians and restricted aid. AQAP’s leader threatened Trump, Elon Musk, and Arab leaders over Gaza. Germany aims to rearm by 2028 to counter Russia. Russia launched deadly airstrikes on Kharkiv, stalling peace efforts. Kyrgyzstan removed Central Asia’s tallest Lenin statue in a quiet city revamp. US and China will meet in London to resolve disputes over AI chips, rare earths, and student visa tension.

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Trump Deploys National Guard to LA Amid Violent Immigration Protests

President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Saturday, overriding Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections, following two days of violent protests over immigration enforcement actions.

Federal agents clashed with protesters in the city of Paramount, using tear gas and pepper balls, while demonstrators threw rocks and set fires.

The unrest was sparked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across LA, which resulted in 118 arrests, including individuals with criminal records and alleged gang ties.

Trump’s decision, executed under Title 10 authority, places the Guard under federal control. He framed the move as necessary to “solve the problem” of lawlessness and illegal immigration, accusing California officials of failing to act.

Protests erupted in Los Angeles after ICE agents targeted several locations as a part of President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration https://t.co/SJfZJq60Wa pic.twitter.com/XkA4eWDerh

— Reuters (@Reuters) June 7, 2025

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that active-duty Marines could be mobilized if violence escalates.

Governor Newsom condemned the deployment as inflammatory and warned it would worsen tensions. He said local law enforcement had the situation under control and directed the California Highway Patrol to assist.

Protests continued through Saturday night, with federal buildings targeted and over a dozen arrests made for obstructing immigration agents. A prominent union leader, David Huerta, was also detained during demonstrations.

Federal agents were executing a lawful judicial warrant at a LA worksite this morning when David Huerta deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle. He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday. Let… pic.twitter.com/GIFD34LIcF

— U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) June 7, 2025

Tensions remain high, with critics warning of federal overreach and escalating crackdowns on public dissent.

Trump has not invoked the Insurrection Act, but his administration has signaled an aggressive stance on immigration enforcement and public protest response.

Israel Recovers Thai Hostage’s Body

Israel retrieved the body of Thai national Nattapong Pinta, one of the foreign hostages seized during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.

Pinta, who had worked in agriculture, was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz and later killed. His remains were recovered from Rafah in southern Gaza, where Israel said the Mujahideen Brigades had been operating.

Israeli forces also killed the group’s leader, As’ad Aby Sharaiya, in Gaza City. Forty-six Thai citizens have died in the war; two others remain missing.

Nattapong Pinta was a hardworking and beloved man who worked in agriculture in Kibbutz Nir Oz. He was held hostage for 610 days by terrorists in Gaza.

On October 7, 2023, he was abducted with some of his friends. His family, wife and son are waiting for his return.

He was… pic.twitter.com/Z9hnBwauul

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 7, 2025

Israel’s military offensive continues, with at least 95 Palestinians reported killed in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza health officials. Multiple strikes targeted suspected militant sites but also killed numerous civilians, including children, in both northern and southern Gaza.

In several instances, those killed were reportedly seeking food aid. Israeli officials stated some individuals posed threats near combat zones but acknowledged shots were fired near aid distribution hubs.

Aid access remains severely limited. Israel backs a new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) system to replace UN-led aid distribution, accusing Hamas of diverting supplies. The United Nations and non-governmental organizations reject the change, warning it weaponizes food and undermines humanitarian norms.

The war has killed over 54,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly 90 percent of Gaza’s 2 million residents, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Hamas killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 during the initial attack. Fifty-five hostages remain in Gaza; more than half are assumed dead.

Families in Israel continue to demand a ceasefire and hostage return. Hamas warned that continued Israel Defense Forces operations could endanger remaining captives.

AQAP Leader Threatens Trump, Musk in New Video Over Gaza War

Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), threatened US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk in a new video tied to the Israel-Hamas war.

In his first public message since taking command last year, al-Awlaki called for lone-wolf assassinations of leaders in Egypt, Jordan, and Gulf states, denouncing their support for Israel.

The video featured images of Trump, Musk, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as Tesla and other Musk-owned companies.

Al-Awlaki, already under a $6 million US bounty, framed his threats as retaliation for Gaza and claimed there were “no red lines” in response to Israel’s actions.

The Al-Qaeda-affiliated media platform “Sahab” has released a video statement by Saad bin Atef Al-Awlaki, the group’s leader in Yemen (#AQAP)- his first public appearance since his appointment in 2024. The video, titled “And Urge the Believers,” marks a renewed call to action by… pic.twitter.com/A0UlKfRqGH

— South24 | English (@South24E) June 6, 2025

AQAP, once considered al-Qaida’s most dangerous branch, has suffered setbacks from internal rifts and US drone strikes but remains active in Yemen with an estimated 3,000–4,000 fighters. The group finances itself through robbery, smuggling, and ransom.

The AQAP leader’s statement echoes the strategy of Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, who have launched missile attacks on Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea, drawing a heavy US military response.

Analysts say al-Awlaki is trying to reassert AQAP’s relevance by positioning the group as a force in the broader anti-Israel resistance, challenging the Houthis’ rising profile in the Arab world.

The message serves as a stark reminder that Yemen remains a critical front in the global jihadist threat landscape.

Germany Races to Re-arm Against Russian Threat by 2028

Germany has three years to fully equip its military in preparation for a potential Russian attack on NATO territory, according to the country’s military procurement chief, Annette Lehnigk-Emden.

She stated that all critical defense assets must be acquired by 2028 to meet the threat outlined by General Carsten Breuer, who warned that Russia could be ready for a large-scale assault by 2029, particularly targeting NATO’s Baltic members.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government has allocated hundreds of billions of euros to accelerate rearmament, focusing on heavy systems like Skyranger anti-aircraft tanks.

Bolstered by a recent decision to loosen Germany’s debt brake, a fiscal straitjacket, its new government plans to ramp up defence spending further. Indeed, rearmament is set to become its animating mission https://t.co/uYRaaBkrQe

Photo: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/XbFtkloxB5

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) June 5, 2025

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also announced the need for 50,000–60,000 new troops to support NATO objectives, aiming to grow Germany’s military from 180,000 soldiers to over 203,000 by 2031.

Germany’s rearmament began under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The urgency has since intensified, with US President Donald Trump pushing NATO allies to raise defense spending to five percent of GDP, more than double the current two percent benchmark.

Merz has pledged to build the most powerful conventional military in Europe.

Russian Airstrikes Slam Kharkiv as Peace Hopes Deteriorate

Russian forces launched a major assault on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, killing at least four people and wounding over two dozen others in a dual wave of missile, drone, and aerial bomb attacks on Saturday.

The initial strike hit early morning, followed by a second wave in the afternoon that struck the city center, making it the most intense attack on Kharkiv since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

The strikes damaged 18 apartment buildings and 13 private homes. Regional authorities confirmed two children, including a baby boy and a 14-year-old girl, were among the wounded. Six individuals remain trapped under the rubble of an industrial facility, with ongoing rescue efforts.

More scenes from Kharkiv after Russia’s massive early morning attack on the city’s residential neighborhoods. pic.twitter.com/2PBvabxOFI

— Kyiv. The City of Courage (@Kyiv) June 7, 2025

Across Ukraine, Russian forces launched 215 drones and missiles, with air defenses intercepting 87 drones and seven missiles.

Additional strikes hit Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Ternopil regions. Ukraine’s foreign minister called for increased international pressure on Moscow.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed the attacks targeted military infrastructure, including ammunition depots and drone workshops, but offered no comment on civilian casualties.

NEW: A senior Ukrainian official reported that the Russian military intends to seize half of Ukraine by the end of 2026. Russian forces are highly unlikely to be able to make such large advances in such a narrow time frame, given Russia’s current offensive capabilities and… pic.twitter.com/HoSK7PunN9

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) June 7, 2025

Tensions escalated further as both sides accused each other of sabotaging a planned exchange of 6,000 fallen soldiers’ remains. Russia said Ukraine pulled out at the last minute despite trucks with bodies already en route.

Ukraine denied the claim, stating no date had been set and accusing Russia of submitting incorrect POW lists.

Ukraine’s Security Service also released new footage of a successful drone strike on Russia’s Belaya airfield, reportedly destroying 41 aircraft in what Kyiv dubbed “Operation Spiderweb.”

US President Donald Trump signaled on June 6 that he could be willing to increase sanctions against Russia. Russia’s economic struggles, however, have been and will continue to be driven by Russian military losses on the battlefield. Maximum US economic pressure against Russia is… https://t.co/pBXTwUa0eh pic.twitter.com/Q2b6UTjsfc

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) June 8, 2025

A recent US-led diplomatic effort facilitated direct talks in Istanbul but yielded no breakthrough.

Meanwhile, Russian strikes across six Ukrainian regions on Friday killed at least six people and injured around 80, adding to the war’s mounting toll and further dimming prospects for a negotiated end.

Kyrgyzstan Removes Central Asia’s Tallest Lenin Statue in Quiet City Revamp

Authorities in Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city, have removed a 23-meter (75-foot) statue of Vladimir Lenin—the tallest such monument to the Soviet leader in Central Asia.

Erected in 1975 during Soviet rule, the statue was taken down quietly as part of a broader city redevelopment plan. Images posted online Saturday showed the statue lying horizontally after being lowered by crane.

One of the world’s tallest Lenin statues has been taken down in Kyrgyzstan.

A 25-meter monument to Lenin — the tallest in Central Asia — was dismantled in the city of Osh following a decision by the local city council. pic.twitter.com/Eq4DUL1bxn

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 7, 2025

Osh City Hall described the removal as a standard effort to enhance the area’s visual appeal, not a political statement. Officials cited similar actions in Russian cities like St. Petersburg and Belgorod, and noted that a national flagpole will replace the monument, mirroring a previous Lenin statue relocation in the capital, Bishkek.

The statue’s removal follows Russia’s recent unveiling of a monument to Joseph Stalin in Moscow, underscoring the complex legacy of Soviet figures across former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) states. While many post-Soviet countries have distanced themselves from Soviet-era symbols, Kyrgyz officials emphasized that this move should not be politicized.

US-China Trade Talks in London to Tackle AI Chips, Rare Earths, and Student Visa Tensions

US and Chinese officials will meet in London this week to address a series of escalating trade and technology disputes, threatening the fragile 90-day truce on tariffs agreed in Geneva last month.

The temporary pause was meant to de-escalate a trade war that had ignited fears of a global recession.

The talks follow renewed tensions over several issues. The US Commerce Department issued guidance suggesting Huawei’s Ascend artificial intelligence (AI) chips may violate export controls due to suspected use of restricted American technology, prompting a sharp rebuke from China.

Beijing has demanded the US “correct its erroneous practices.”

Donald J. Trump Truth Social 06.06.25 12:30 PM EST

I am pleased to announce that Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, will be meeting in London on Monday, June 9, 2025,…

— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) June 6, 2025

Rare earth exports have also become a flashpoint. China, which dominates global rare earth processing, introduced strict licensing requirements in April, causing global supply disruptions.

Although China has since issued some approvals, the move highlighted its leverage in retaliating against US measures.

Adding to the strain, the US announced plans to revoke visas for some Chinese students, particularly those linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or enrolled in sensitive fields. China accused Washington of breaching the Geneva consensus by taking unilateral actions, including new export control rules and the student visa crackdown.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s presence at the London talks signals a potential opening for compromise, but major divisions remain—particularly around semiconductors and technology access, which have become central to the US-China rivalry. With over 270,000 Chinese students currently in the US, the visa issue may deepen tensions beyond trade.

Sources: News Agencies, The Associated Press