U.S. National Guard troops began deploying in downtown Los Angeles after an immigration crackdown that saw police use teargas on protesters—sending shockwaves through American politics.
Troops were stationed outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, one of several protest sites in recent days.
They stood in tactical gear and carried long guns, while streets remained mostly quiet with a handful of demonstrators.
Trump Orders Deployment
The order came from President Donald Trump late Saturday, marking the first federalization of the Guard since the 1992 LA riots.
“Under President Trump, violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated. It’s COMMON SENSE,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on social media.
“If violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized—they are on high alert,” Hegseth added.
Tensions With California Officials
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the potential deployment of US Marines “deranged.” “The Secretary of Defense is now threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens. This is deranged behavior,” Newsom wrote on X.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized Newsom’s stance on ABC’s Face the Nation: “If he was doing his job people wouldn’t have gotten hurt the last couple of days … Governor Newsom has proven that he makes bad decisions.”
Senator Bernie Sanders called the situation a threat to democracy: “We have a president who is moving this country rapidly into authoritarianism,” Sanders told CNN. “He does not believe in the rule of law.”
Raids and Protests
Tensions began Friday when law enforcement clashed with protesters during immigration raids downtown. On Saturday, enforcement extended into Paramount, sparking more protests outside an industrial park. Teargas and confrontations continued as at least one car burned.
Trump then announced the National Guard deployment. “The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles—not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle,” Newsom later said. “Don’t give them one.”
Federal Prosecution Threats
US Attorney Bill Essayli told KCBS/KCAL that the National Guard would arrive within 24 hours. “We will identify you, we will come find you, and we will get you,” he warned, adding that peaceful protesters were subject to federal prosecution.
On Truth Social, Trump praised the National Guard: “Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest,” he posted, also insulting Bass and Newsom.
“These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT BE TOLERATED. Also, from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why???”
Noem defended law enforcement mask-wearing, saying: “It’s for the safety of those individuals.”
Ongoing Enforcement
Congresswoman Nanette Barragán warned of a “30 days of ICE enforcement” in her district. “We haven’t asked for the help. We don’t need the help. This is [President Trump] escalating it, causing tensions to rise. It’s only going to make things worse,” she told CNN.
Tom Homan, Trump’s “border czar,” warned on NBC News: “I’m telling you what, we’re going to keep enforcing law every day in LA. I don’t care if they like it or not.”
He added: “It’s a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It’s a felony to impede law enforcement doing their job.”
Union Leader Arrested
During a protest on Friday, David Huerta, president of the California Service Employees International Union, was arrested. He later told the Los Angeles Times from the hospital: “Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals. We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice.”
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