LOS ANGELES — In response to ongoing protests over immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles, the Trump administration has announced the deployment of 2,000 National Guardsmen from the California National Guard.
President Donald Trump signed a memorandum for this deployment, indicating the need to address what White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt referred to as ‘lawlessness’ in the state.
Leavitt criticized California’s leadership, stating, ‘California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.’
She reiterated the decision by President Trump to mobilize the National Guard to handle the unrest that has arisen as a result of immigration enforcement operations.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed this sentiment, stating on social media that the National Guard would be mobilized immediately to support federal law enforcement efforts in Los Angeles, emphasizing that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton would be on high alert should the violence continue.
In stark contrast, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the federal government’s actions as a ‘purposefully inflammatory’ move that would only escalate tensions in the state.
He asserted that local authorities did not require the assistance of the federal government, proclaiming, ‘LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice.’
Earlier on Saturday, President Trump took to social media, stating that if California lawmakers fail to ‘do their jobs’, the federal government will intervene to resolve the issue, without providing specific action details.
The protests witnessed on Saturday were primarily focused in Paramount, with demonstrators responding to reports of an immigration raid in the area.
However, Mayor Peggy Lemons of Paramount clarified in a news conference that the federal agents were merely staging and not conducting an actual raid.
The protests followed previous demonstrations on Friday, which were sparked by immigration enforcement operations across Los Angeles, resulting in significant detentions by ICE.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, ICE agents raided several workplaces, leading to hundreds of detainees, including children, at the Edward Roybal Federal Building in downtown LA.
As large crowds gathered near the federal building, some reports indicated clashes with federal enforcement authorities.
Footage from the protests depicted Border Patrol agents in close proximity to protesters, with visible tensions escalating.
Additionally, statements by U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks indicated that several arrests had been made for alleged assaults on federal agents during the protests.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino mentioned that efforts were underway to identify individuals who had thrown rocks at law enforcement vehicles.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli later underscored that federal law enforcement operations in Los Angeles County would continue as scheduled over the weekend, cautioning the public against interfering.
He stated, ‘Anyone who obstructs federal agents will face arrest and prosecution.’
The LA County Sheriff’s Department reported their personnel responded to a large protest blocking Paramount Boulevard on Saturday.
They clarified that they were not involved in any federal law enforcement actions and their presence was solely to manage traffic and crowd control.
The sheriff’s department obliged the public to exercise their right to protest peacefully while ensuring the safety of all community members.
In a series of escalating exchanges, local and federal officials continued to assign blame for the unrest.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons criticized local officials, including LA Mayor Karen Bass, claiming their earlier response aggravated the situation on Friday night.
Lyons described the scene as ‘appalling’, noting that federal ICE officers were assaulted by ‘rioters’ in Los Angeles and stated, ‘Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.’
He lamented that federal officers were outnumbered and expressed frustration over the delay in LAPD’s response, blaming local law enforcement for what he viewed as a slow reaction to the escalating violence.
In a rebuttal, LAPD officials denied Lyons’ claims, contrasting the situation by stating that their response was delayed due to hazardous conditions created by federal agents deploying chemical irritants into the crowd.
The LAPD maintained that their personnel mobilized as swiftly as conditions allowed, noting that their response time was affected by significant traffic and the demonstrator presence.
Furthermore, LAPD indicated that they had witnessed a group of violent individuals throwing concrete pieces at law enforcement officers.
Following the escalating protests, LAPD declared an unlawful assembly, warning violators would face arrest if they remained in the area.
Mayor Bass publicly condemned the ICE operations within her city, emphasizing her position as a representative for a predominantly immigrant community.
‘As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants, I am deeply angered by what has taken place. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city,’ she stated.
Mayor Bass highlighted her coordination with immigrant rights organizations, asserting that they would not tolerate such enforcements.
In an ABC news interview, she further explained that neither she nor the LAPD had prior knowledge of the ICE operations, which compounded the chaotic situation on the streets.
The protests intensified following Friday’s immigration raids, with demonstrators gathering near the federal detention center, some reportedly engaging in clashes with law enforcement.
The LAPD’s declaration of an unlawful assembly suggested a determination to dissolve the tumultuous crowd, who had begun throwing objects at vehicles and blocking transportation.
The Department of Homeland Security subsequently condemned the targeting of law enforcement in Los Angeles, labeling it ‘despicable.’
In response to the unfolding situation, DHS remarked, ‘Mayor Bass, ICE is not responsible for ‘sowing a sense of terror’; the protesters YOU enabled are.’
As tensions remain palpable in Los Angeles, federal operations and local protests intersect at a critical juncture, with law enforcement and community responses continuing to evolve amid the ongoing immigration debates.
image source from：https://abc7.com/post/protests-erupt-immigration-customs-enforcement-raids-los-angeles-california/16690197/
