The Trump administration is deploying the California National Guard in response to protests in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement operations, which have resulted in clashes between demonstrators and authorities, according to a White House statement.
President Donald Trump signed a memorandum “deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness” in California as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations continue, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday evening.
“In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens,” Leavitt told the crowd. “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,” Leavitt said on Monday.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated in a post on X that the Defense Department is “immediately mobilizing the National Guard to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles.” If the violence continues, active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will be mobilized; they are on high alert.
Earlier Saturday, California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the federal government was attempting to “take over the California National Guard,” calling the move “purposefully inflammatory” and claiming that it would “only escalate tensions.”
According to Newsom, California’s local authorities do not require assistance.
“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.”
The protest on Saturday was centered in Paramount, Los Angeles County, following reports of an immigration raid there. However, Paramount Mayor Peggy Lemons later stated during a news conference that agents were staging rather than conducting a raid.
These protests followed demonstrations in Los Angeles on Friday in response to immigration enforcement operations throughout the city. According to the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, federal agents raided multiple workplaces in the fashion district and other areas, resulting in the detention of hundreds of people, including children, at the Edward Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles.
Large crowds gathered near the federal building Friday afternoon and evening, resulting in some clashes with police.
The incident occurred on Saturday on Alondra Boulevard, just east of the 710 Freeway, according to ABC Los Angeles station KABC. A car was once set on fire in Compton, according to the station.
Border Patrol agents were seen yelling at protesters across the street in videos from Saturday’s demonstrations. The footage also appears to show some smoke projectiles being deployed.
United States Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks announced on social media Saturday that several arrests had been made for alleged assaults on federal agents.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino stated that authorities were looking for those who threw rocks at law enforcement vehicles.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that federal law enforcement operations in Los Angeles County would continue as planned this weekend.
“I urge the public not to interfere with these lawful activities. Anyone who obstructs federal agents will be arrested and prosecuted, he stated.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said its personnel responded to Paramount Boulevard on Saturday, where a large crowd was blocking the street.
“As deputies arrived, it appeared that federal law enforcement officers were present, and that members of the public had gathered to protest. The Sheriff’s Department was not involved in any federal law enforcement operations or actions, and its response was limited to traffic and crowd control management, according to a statement released Saturday.
The sheriff’s department stated that it does not participate in civil immigration enforcement or mass deportation sweeps.
“We remind the public to exercise their right to protest peacefully while respecting the safety of all community members. Our primary responsibility is to ensure the public safety of all those present—demonstrators, residents, and bystanders—by addressing potential safety concerns while promoting the safe and lawful exercise of First Amendment rights,” the sheriff’s department stated.
Local, federal officials point fingers
The two-day protests have prompted local and federal officials to point fingers.
In a statement issued Saturday, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons chastised local officials, including LA Mayor Karen Bass, and police for their response to the situation on Friday evening.
“What took place in Los Angeles yesterday was appalling,” Lyons told the crowd. “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.”
Lyons’ statement continued, “Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered, as over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building.” Despite multiple calls, it took the Los Angeles Police Department more than two hours to respond.
The brave men and women of ICE were in Los Angeles arresting criminal illegal aliens, including gang members, drug traffickers, and those with a history of assault, cruelty to children, domestic violence, robbery, and trafficking.
Later on Saturday, the LAPD issued a statement denying the ICE director’s claims, stating that its response was delayed in part because federal authorities had used chemical irritants on the protesters.
“Contrary to the claim that LAPD delayed its response for over two hours, our personnel mobilized and acted as swiftly as conditions safely allowed,” according to a statement. “Our response time was hampered by heavy traffic, the presence of demonstrators, and, most notably, the fact that federal agents had sprayed irritants into the crowd before the LAPD arrived.
This created a dangerous situation for responding officers. Within 55 minutes of receiving the call, we started dispersing the hostile and riotous crowd.”
Large crowds began gathering near the federal detention center in downtown Los Angeles on Friday afternoon, protesting the immigration raids and resulting in some reported clashes with authorities. On Friday, KABC reported that some protesters were seen throwing objects at vehicles while others attempted to block vans from leaving.
Shortly after 7 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly, warning protesters that they faced arrest if they remained in the area. According to KABC, LAPD officers could be seen lining the streets near the federal building.
The Los Angeles Police Department said in a social media post late Friday that officers reported a “small group of violent individuals” throwing large pieces of concrete.
“Another UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY has been declared. You must leave the area. “The Incident Commander has authorized the use of less lethal munitions,” the LAPD stated in the post.
Bass has condemned ICE’s operations in her city.
“As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants who contribute to our community in so many ways, I am deeply disturbed by what has occurred. These tactics instill fear in our communities and undermine fundamental principles of safety in our city. My office works closely with community organizations that advocate for immigrants’ rights. “We will not stand for this,” Bass stated.
Bass told ABC Los Angeles station KABC that neither she nor the Los Angeles Police Department were aware of the planned ICE raids.
Protests in Los Angeles remained peaceful on Saturday and ended without incident, according to the LAPD.
Bass said in a statement posted on social media later Saturday that many people in the city are fearful as a result of immigration enforcement operations, but she also condemned violence.
“Reports of unrest outside the city, including Paramount, are extremely concerning. We have been in direct contact with officials in Washington, D.C., and are working closely with law enforcement to determine the best next steps. Everyone has the right to peaceful protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are not acceptable, and those responsible will face consequences.”