Trump Sends National Guard To Address Mobs Protesting ICE in Los Angeles

The Trump administration has ordered the California National Guard to be deployed in Los Angeles as violent protests erupt over recent immigration enforcement raids. The White House announced the move following confrontations between demonstrators and federal agents.

President Donald Trump signed a memorandum authorizing the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to address what the administration labeled as growing “lawlessness” in the state. “In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “That is why President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,” she added.

Following the unrest, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X that the National Guard was being mobilized “IMMEDIATELY” to assist law enforcement in Los Angeles. He warned that if conditions worsened, active duty Marines from Camp Pendleton were also prepared to be deployed.

California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized the federal action, accusing Washington of “taking over” the state’s National Guard. He described the move as “purposefully inflammatory” and warned it would “only escalate tensions.”

Newsom emphasized that local authorities were fully capable of managing the situation without federal intervention. “LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice,” he wrote on X. “We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need.”

Saturday’s protests focused on Paramount, a city in Los Angeles County, where immigration raids were initially rumored to be happening. However, Mayor Peggy Lemons clarified at a press conference that agents had only been staging in the area, not conducting raids.

Demonstrations had already begun Friday throughout Los Angeles in response to a series of federal immigration raids. According to the ACLU of Southern California, agents raided several businesses, especially in the Fashion District, leading to dozens of arrests. The organization reported that many, including children, were detained at the Edward Roybal Federal Building.

Large crowds gathered around the federal building later that day, leading to confrontations with law enforcement. Border Patrol used tear gas on demonstrators protesting the detentions.

Saturday’s confrontations continued near Alondra Boulevard, east of the 710 Freeway. KABC reported that a car was set ablaze in Compton during the unrest. Videos showed agents confronting crowds, with smoke and flash-bang devices visible in the footage.

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks confirmed that several arrests were made for assaults on federal agents during Saturday’s protests.

The FBI is investigating incidents in which rocks were thrown at law enforcement vehicles. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said that federal operations in LA County would continue as planned. “I urge the public to refrain from interfering with these lawful actions. Anyone who obstructs federal agents will face arrest and prosecution,” he warned.

The LA County Sheriff’s Department responded to Saturday’s protest on Paramount Boulevard, where a large crowd blocked the road. In a statement, the department clarified that it had no role in the immigration enforcement actions and was only present for crowd and traffic control.

Tensions between local and federal officials have intensified in the wake of the protests. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons criticized Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and local police, accusing them of failing to support federal agents. “What took place in Los Angeles yesterday was appalling,” Lyons said. “As rioters attacked federal ICE and law enforcement officers… Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.”

Lyons further claimed that federal officers were outnumbered and under siege. “It took over two hours for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond,” he said. He emphasized that ICE was targeting individuals with serious criminal backgrounds.

The LAPD pushed back, stating their response was delayed not by negligence but due to conditions created by the federal operation itself. “Our response time was impacted… notably, by the fact that federal agents had deployed irritants into the crowd prior to LAPD’s arrival,” the department said. They stated they began dispersing the crowd within 55 minutes of receiving the call.

Protests on Friday started in downtown LA and escalated when protesters attempted to block ICE vans and threw objects at vehicles, according to KABC. The LAPD eventually declared an unlawful assembly and warned protesters of arrests.

The LAPD later reported that a “small group of violent individuals” were throwing large pieces of concrete. They issued a social media warning: “Once again, an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY has been declared. You must leave the area. The use of less lethal munitions has been authorized by the Incident Commander.”

Mayor Karen Bass condemned the federal immigration operations and said she was not informed in advance. “As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants… I am deeply angered by what has taken place,” she said. “These tactics sow terror in our communities.”

Bass told KABC that her office and the LAPD were unaware of the planned ICE actions. Protests within city limits on Saturday were peaceful, according to a police statement.

Later in the day, Bass released another statement, expressing concern over rising fear in immigrant communities but also denouncing violence. “Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable.”