Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell sharply countered President Donald Trump’s claims that the city was at a point of needing National Guard support, emphasizing Wednesday that protests were “nowhere near” that level.

A federal court hearing is scheduled on whether the Trump administration can use the National Guard and Marines to assist with immigration raids in Los Angeles.

Chief McDonnell said the protests in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday are "nowhere near" the level of needing the National Guard.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has argued that the deployment is “an illegal act, an immoral act, an unconstitutional act.”

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Hundreds of U.S. Marines arrived in Los Angeles overnight and more were expected on Tuesday under orders from President Donald Trump, who has also activated 4,000 National Guard troops to quell protests despite objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom and other local leaders.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that the deployment of thousands of troops to Los Angeles was about maintaining law and order as federal agents do their job. "The mission in Los Angeles

About 500 of the National Guard troops deployed to the Los Angeles protests have been trained to accompany agents on immigration operations, the commander in charge said Wednesday.