President Donald Trump on Saturday authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to California following days of protests in Los Angeles over sweeping immigration enforcement actions. The move, announced in a presidential memorandum, comes amid escalating tensions between federal and state officials as clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement turned violent.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester." She added, "California's feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens."
California Governor Gavin Newsom denounced the federal action, calling it a "purposefully inflammatory" step that would "only escalate tensions." In a statement on X, Newsom said, "There is currently no unmet need. LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment's notice."
The protests erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids across Los Angeles, including the Fashion District and locations in Paramount, arresting over 40 individuals. Demonstrations outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building escalated Friday evening, with protesters attempting to block ICE vans and reportedly throwing objects at vehicles. LAPD declared an unlawful assembly just after 7 p.m., deploying "less lethal munitions" to disperse the crowd.
On Saturday, video footage from Paramount showed Border Patrol agents facing off with protesters, some wearing gas masks and riot gear. Smoke canisters appeared to be deployed. United States Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks confirmed multiple arrests for alleged assaults on federal agents.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons accused Los Angeles officials of siding with "chaos and lawlessness." He said, "Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered, as over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building. It took over two hours for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond." The LAPD disputed the claim, stating, "Within 55 minutes of receiving the call, we began to disperse the hostile and riotous crowd."
Mayor Karen Bass condemned the federal operations. "These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city," she said, emphasizing that her office had not been notified of the raids. ICE and Homeland Security officials defended the operations, saying they were targeting criminal illegal aliens, including gang members and individuals with records of assault and trafficking.
The Department of Homeland Security sharply criticized Bass and other Democratic lawmakers, accusing them of "glorifying rioters" and contributing to anti-ICE rhetoric. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, "This violence against ICE must end."
Union leader David Huerta, president of SEIU California, was arrested during Friday's protest and hospitalized following injuries sustained during a police response involving tear gas and flash-bangs. In a statement, Huerta said, "This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that's happening."
SEIU California Executive Director Tia Orr echoed that sentiment, stating, "We call for an end to the cruel, destructive, and indiscriminate ICE raids that are tearing apart our communities." Newsom also condemned Huerta's arrest, calling him "a respected leader" and asserting that "no one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action."
Federal authorities confirmed that raids were also conducted at locations including Home Depot stores, a doughnut shop, and a clothing warehouse. According to Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney's Office, agents acted on warrants based on probable cause that employers were using fictitious documents.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a warning on social media: "A message to the LA rioters: you will not stop us or slow us down... if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called the demonstrations "an insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States." He later referred to Saturday's protests as a "violent insurrection."
In a post on X, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) called the raids "pure intimidation by Trump and his cronies to scare and divide us," urging constituents to "Film everything. Don't sign anything without a lawyer."
