BREAKING: Trump to deploy 2,000 National Guard to quell immigration riots in LA
“President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.”
The Trump administration is planning to send the National Guard into LA after two straight days of riots in which protesters and agitators clashed with immigration agents. “We’re already ahead of the game,” border czar Tom Homan said. “We’re already mobilizing.”
The White House put out a statement, reading:
“In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California. These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States. In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.”
“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,” the statement continued. “The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs. These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice. The Commander-in-Chief will ensure the laws of the United States are executed fully and completely.”
After the announcement of the Trump administration’s intended deployment of National Guard to Los Angeles, California Governor Gavin Newsom said “As the federal government conducts chaotic immigration sweeps across the country, the state is deploying additional CHP to maintain safety on Los Angeles highways to keep the peace. It’s not their job to assist in federal immigration enforcement. The federal government is sowing chaos so they can have an excuse to escalate. That is not the way any civilized country behaves.”
In a follow up post, Newsom said “The federal government is moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers. That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions. 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. The Guard has been admirably serving LA throughout recovery. This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.”
Newsom did not condemn the attacks on officers and agents, instead indicating that it is the federal enforcement of immigration laws that are the issue and not the violence against ICE.
“A message to LA rioters,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on X, “you will not stop us or slow us down. @ICEgov will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the Marines would be deployed should the National Guard not prove effective.
“The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil; a dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK. Under President Trump, violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated. It’s COMMON SENSE,” Hegseth posted.
“The @DeptofDefense is mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles. And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert,” he said.
“Deputies can barely support regular patrol activity in the field right now due to this incident in Paramount,” reported editor-in-chief of Malibu Global Media Cece Woods. “There are about 400 protesters and 30ish Dep’s spread out over a couple square miles in paramount. Super dangerous. The sheriff and the county board supervisors doesn’t care about deputies. Pretty sure they hate us actually. Freaking war zone. They’re throwing bricks and m80s at deputies. They’re setting fires all around us too.”
Officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sought to put an end to the protests using crowd control measures such as pepper spray on Saturday in Paramount, California, after it was initially reported that there was a workplace raid at a Home Depot, per The New York Times, which said that no immigration arrests were made. However, Fox News’ Bill Melugin said “Per federal sources, despite local claims, there was no ICE “raid” at a Home Depot in LA today. DHS has a nearby office in Paramount that they are using as a staging area. Protesters found it and began gathering. ICE will conduct targeted enforcement around LA today, serving criminal judicial warrants and enforcing final orders of removal/deportation orders.”
Agitators attacked ICE vehicles, vandalized buildings and were subjected to flash-bangs from officers attempting to quell the protests. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller called these protests a “violent insurrection.”
“We are currently seeking information regarding the identity of the person(s) throwing rocks at vehicles conducting critical law enforcement operations. One of the perpetrators in this video is wearing a helmet, and we’re going to use our investigative tools to locate the individual. I strongly suggest you turn yourself in, it’s only a matter of time,” Dan Bongino of the FBI said.
US Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli said that immigration advocate David Huerta had been arrested on Friday.
“Federal agents were executing a lawful judicial warrant at a LA worksite this morning when David Huerta deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle. He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday. Let me be clear: I don’t care who you are—if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted. No one has the right to assault, obstruct, or interfere with federal authorities carrying out their duties.”
Newsom condemned the arrest of Huerta, who was alleged to have obstructed federal agents by blocking their vehicle. “David Huerta is a respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people. No one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action,” Newsom said.
After the Friday riots, LA Mayor Karen Bass complained not about the rioters but about federal officers, saying “This morning, we received reports of federal immigration enforcement actions in multiple locations in Los Angeles. 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.”
This comes after immigration protests have erupted in sanctuary states and cities, including in New York and New Jersey. In the Garden State, lawmakers took part in protests outside immigration detention facility Delaney Hall while in Massachusetts a city councilor was arrested for attempting to stop ICE from arresting an illegal immigrant with a criminal background.