Members of the California National Guard arrived in the Los Angeles area on Sunday morning, following an activation by President Trump aimed at curbing protests against recent federal immigration raids. These demonstrations erupted in response to a series of immigration sweeps that took place in and around the city late last week. Some protests escalated into confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officers, prompting a federal response.
In a significant move, the White House announced that Trump would deploy 2,000 National Guard members to California. Trump took to social media to denounce what he termed "Radical Left protests," labeling them as instigated by troublemakers who are often paid to create unrest. This commentary underscores the heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the region.
Diana Crofts-Pelayo, deputy director of communications for Governor Gavin Newsom, confirmed via email to NPR that approximately 300 California National Guard troops had already arrived in Los Angeles by Sunday morning. Furthermore, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated on X that active duty Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton are on high alert for potential mobilization should the violence escalate further.
However, Governor Newsom countered that there has been no widespread violence and accused the Trump administration of creating chaos as a pretext to escalate federal intervention. "That is not the way any civilized country behaves," he stated, emphasizing his disapproval of the federal response to the situation.
Last week, actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents triggered protests across multiple cities nationwide, including Minneapolis and Chicago. The enforcement operations in Los Angeles targeted various locations, inciting demonstrators to attempt blocking the transport of detained immigrants. Authorities resorted to using flash bangs, pepper spray, and tear gas to disperse the crowds, leading to significant unrest.
One of the most contentious incidents occurred at a Home Depot in Paramount, a city with a large Latino population located just outside of Los Angeles. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons reported that rioters assaulted federal ICE and law enforcement officers on the streets of LA, and that crowds also surrounded and attacked a federal building during the protests.
During the clashes, an unknown number of individuals were arrested, including SEIU California president David Huerta. The union reported that Huerta sustained injuries during his arrest but was later released from custody. He faces charges for interfering with federal officers and is scheduled for arraignment in federal court on Monday.
In a Saturday post on X, ICE revealed that it had apprehended 118 immigrants during its operations in Los Angeles the previous week. Governor Newsom addressed the situation, stating that law enforcement assistance was available to local authorities upon request and that there was currently no unmet need for resources. He further accused the federal government of attempting to take control of the California National Guard.
Trump praised the National Guard's efforts in a post on Truth Social early Sunday morning, asserting that they were doing an exemplary job. It is important to note that the National Guard can be activated by state governors for local or statewide emergencies; however, U.S. presidents can also call upon the National Guard for federal missions, placing the force under military command.
In light of these developments, both the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department have stated that their agencies do not engage in federal immigration enforcement actions. Nevertheless, they reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining public safety during these turbulent times. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her anger over the immigration enforcement actions, declaring, "We will not stand for this," as she called for unity against the terror these actions instill in the community.
