Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth forcefully defended the deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles during a hearing on Tuesday.

The change moves troops closer to engaging in law enforcement actions like deportations as Trump has promised.

National Guard troops are now protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in and around Los Angeles, marking an expansion of their duties since being deployed by President Donald Trump this week.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday defended the administration's mobilization of the National Guard and members of the Marine Corps to Los Angeles amid ongoing immigration protests.

HOW WE GOT HERE: The protests erupted after Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on Friday carried out raids in three locations across L.A., where dozens of people were taken into custody. Newsom called the raids “chaotic federal sweeps” that aimed to fill an “arbitrary arrest quota.”

Troops on the streets of LA over ICE raid protests are escalating the battle between Trump & CA Governor Newsom As LAPD declares a tactical alert for city

The Trump administration said it would send 2,000 National Guard troops into Los Angeles after a second day in which protesters confronted immigration agents during raids of local businesses.

“SEIU California members call for the immediate release of our President, David Huerta, who was injured and detained at the site of one of today's ICE raids in Los Angeles. He is now receiving medical attention while in custody,” Tia Orr, Executive Director of SEIU California, said.