In response to violent clashes over immigration enforcement operations, hundreds of California National Guard troops have been deployed to Los Angeles, following an order from President Donald Trump.
The deployment comes as tensions escalated after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the city on Friday, which allegedly targeted individuals violating immigration laws.
Early Sunday morning, National Guard troops began arriving in Los Angeles, where officials braced for further unrest.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino commented on the situation, stating, “We are not intimidated or apprehensive. Illegal immigration operations will continue, and anyone using violence to obstruct or impede these operations will be investigated and prosecuted.”
On Saturday, President Trump signed a memorandum authorizing 2,000 members of the National Guard to be dispatched to address what he described as lawlessness related to the protests against ICE actions.
However, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office later clarified that about 300 troops were on the ground in Los Angeles, significantly fewer than the number put forward by the Trump administration.
The U.S. Northern Command confirmed that the California National Guard’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed roughly 300 soldiers to assist with safety and protection duties concerning federal property and personnel across three locations in the Los Angeles area.
In addition, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that active-duty Marines might be deployed to tackle what he labeled a “huge national security risk.”
On Saturday, the Los Angeles Police Department reported that eleven people were arrested amid the protests, while New York City also witnessed demonstrations, resulting in at least 22 arrests.
House Speaker Mike Johnson voiced full support for President Trump’s actions, expressing minimal concern about the deployment of National Guard troops.
“I think the president did exactly what he needed to do,” Johnson stated during an interview on ABC News, praising Trump’s leadership in handling the situation.
ICE agents had apprehended over 40 individuals in Los Angeles, leading to a significant public outcry and protests outside federal facilities demanding the release of those detained.
Police were forced to declare an unlawful assembly as demonstrators gathered, risking arrest for refusing to disperse.
Reports indicate that LAPD officers in riot gear utilized tear gas against protesters, which led to some disturbances as individuals threw concrete at police.
Protests also erupted in Paramount, a city within Los Angeles County, following misinformation regarding an ICE raid in the area.
Mayor Peggy Lemons clarified that ICE agents were staged in Paramount on Saturday but were not conducting a raid when violence ensued.
During the protests in Paramount, looting was witnessed at a gas station, further contributing to the chaos.
By the same token, demonstrations also broke out in Compton, where the situation escalated to a point where a car was set ablaze on the street, although the cause of the fire remained undetermined.
In response to various reports surrounding the raids, public officials continued to offer differing narratives.
While Governor Newsom criticized federal government interventions as unnecessary, asserting that local authorities were fully capable of managing the situation, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s decision, blaming local leaders for failing to protect citizens.
Videos circulated online showed protesters clashing with Border Patrol agents who yelled at demonstrators from across the street, further escalating tensions.
In a statement, United States Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks reported multiple arrests on Saturday for assaults on federal agents during the unrest.
During a news briefing, Governor Newsom condemned the federal deployment, labeling it “purposefully inflammatory” and expressed concern that it would only serve to escalate existing tensions.
He emphasized that local agencies had the necessary resources to manage law enforcement effectively, without the need for additional federal assistance.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department noted they were not involved in any federal law enforcement operations and were present solely for crowd and traffic control.
FBI Deputy Director Bongino also mentioned that efforts to identify individuals who threw rocks at law enforcement vehicles were underway, saying that those responsible would be held accountable.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli underscored that federal law enforcement operations would continue according to plan in Los Angeles County, urging the public to refrain from obstructing agents in their duties, with warnings of arrest for any interference.
The Sheriff’s Department reaffirmed its commitment to support peaceful protests while ensuring public safety for all community members, emphasizing a respect for First Amendment rights.
As tensions continued to mount, local and federal authorities found themselves in a finger-pointing contest over who was responsible for the chaos.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons criticized local officials, declaring that the events in Los Angeles were unacceptable and attributing the escalation to a lack of support from Mayor Bass and the police.
Lyons remarked, “What took place in Los Angeles yesterday was appalling. As rioters attacked federal ICE and law enforcement officers on the LA streets, Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.”
He further claimed that law enforcement officers were overwhelmed by rioters, who surrounded and attacked a federal building, accusing the LAPD of insufficient response.
In response, the LAPD denied the accusations, asserting that its personnel acted swiftly under difficult conditions, including the deployment of chemical irritants by federal agents which hindered their response.
Bass, in her defense, condemned the ICE operations within the city, stating, “As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place.”
She assured the public that her office was in direct communication with immigrant rights organizations and insisted they would not tolerate such aggressive tactics.
By Saturday evening, the protests in downtown Los Angeles concluded peacefully, with no major incidents reported, according to the LAPD.
In her follow-up statement, Bass acknowledged the heightened fear among residents due to immigration enforcement but reiterated her condemnation of violence during protests.
She expressed concern for incidents of unrest outside the city, particularly in Paramount, and affirmed her intentions to work closely with federal officials to address the situation constructively.
The ongoing turmoil reflects broader tensions surrounding immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles, illustrating the complexities of politics, public safety, and community response in a diverse urban environment.
image source from：https://abcnews.go.com/US/protests-erupt-immigration-raids-los-angeles/story?id=122604723
