Trump Deploys National Guard to Los Angeles Amid ICE Raid Protests and Clashes
White House sends 2,000 troops without California’s request as protests escalate over immigration raids; critics warn of federal overreach.
Watan-The White House announced on Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump signed a memorandum to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, California—governed by Democrats—following a second consecutive night of clashes between federal officers and protesters demonstrating against ICE raids targeting immigrants. Law enforcement officials used tear gas to disperse the crowds, and The New York Times reported the use of rubber bullets as well.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “President Trump signed a presidential memorandum to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to confront the chaos that Democratic leaders in California have allowed to escalate.” Trump later warned on Truth Social that if California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass fail to restore order, “the federal government will step in to end the rioting and looting.”
The memorandum outlines that at least 2,000 National Guard members will be deployed for 60 days, or as determined necessary by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. It also authorizes the use of additional U.S. Armed Forces personnel if needed to protect federal property.
Hegseth threatened to send Marine units as reinforcements and wrote on X that attacks on federal law enforcement personnel constitute a national security threat. He emphasized that “under President Trump, violence and destruction against federal agents and facilities will not be tolerated.”
Thomas Homan, Trump’s former border security chief, told Fox News the administration was preparing to deploy the National Guard Sunday night. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned protesters: “You won’t stop us. You won’t slow us down. Assault a federal officer and you’ll face the harshest penalty under the law.”
Trump’s move relied on the 1807 Insurrection Act, and this isn’t his first deployment of troops to LA; a similar move occurred during his first term amid the George Floyd protests. Analysts note, however, that previous deployments were requested by California, unlike this unilateral order.
Governor Newsom criticized the decision, calling it an unnecessary escalation that undermines public trust, asserting that California’s law enforcement had already been mobilized.
Tensions escalated in Paramount, southeast LA, where federal officers in gas masks clashed with protesters—some waving Mexican flags and others wearing respirators—after ICE agents arrested 44 people in raids.
The Biden administration’s efforts to crack down on immigration continue to polarize, especially in LA, where a significant portion of the population is foreign-born and Latino. Trump has vowed mass deportations and set a goal of detaining at least 3,000 migrants daily.
