President Trump deployed National Guard troops to California as violent protests raged over the weekend.
On Sunday, National Guard troops arrived in Los Angeles, California on President Donald Trump’s orders to quell violent protests that have broken out in the city against federal illegal immigration enforcement. The protests began on Friday.
California’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team initially sent 300 soldiers to Los Angeles to protect federal agents and property. President Trump has pledged approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to further push back against the violent riots that are disrupting federal immigration enforcement in the city.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on social media that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton in Southern California would be sent to reinforce the National Guard if the violence continued.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has objected to troops being sent to Los Angeles to stop the riots.
He said the threat to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil was “deranged behavior.”
His office recently compared the riots to sports celebrations. “LA riots? Have these geniuses ever seen what happens when the Eagles win a playoff game?” Newsom’s communications director, Izzy Gardon, said in a recent interview.
The governor said Trump’s order to deploy the National Guard was intended to “manufacture a crisis. He’s hoping for chaos so he can justify more crackdowns, more fear, more control.”
The protests against federal immigration enforcement have raged in Los Angeles since Friday across several locations in the city.
The federal detention center in downtown Los Angeles was surrounded by protesters. Law enforcement used tear gas and flash-bang grenades to subdue the crowd after declaring an unlawful assembly in the area. Multiple protesters were detained during the crowd’s confrontation with law enforcement.
Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said about 800 protesters had surrounded and breached the federal law-enforcement building. She said protesters assaulted ICE officers, slashed tires, and defaced public property.
Protesters chanted and threw eggs at law enforcement. Others looted a gas station during clashes between protesters and police officers. As the violence escalated, a car was seen bursting into flames on the street. Other violent individuals threw rocks at law enforcement vehicles.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement, “In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.”
Governor Newsom maintained the stance that California had the riots under control. He wrote on social media, “LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice. We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also spoke out against immigration enforcement and the assistance of the National Guard in the city.
“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. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. My Office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations. We will not stand for this,” she said in a statement.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons faulted local officials for their inability to control the violent protests breaking out, as well as the mayor for her response to the situation.
He said in a statement, “What took place in Los Angeles yesterday was appalling. As rioters attacked federal law enforcement officers on the LA streets, Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.”
Since the arrival of the National Guard on Sunday, the riots have been brought under control. Protesters were seen on Sunday afternoon remaining peaceful while carrying signs and flags.
