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Trump authorizes 2,000 national guard troops to deploy to LA amid Ice protests Trump authorizes 2,000 national guard troops to deploy to LA amid Ice protests
(about 1 hour later)
California governor calls move ‘purposefully inflammatory’ and says it will ‘escalate tensions’ amid immigration crackdownCalifornia governor calls move ‘purposefully inflammatory’ and says it will ‘escalate tensions’ amid immigration crackdown
Donald Trump on Saturday authorized the deployment of 2,000 national guard troops to Los Angeles, after an immigration crackdown erupted into mass protests with police in riot gear using teargas on bystanders. Donald Trump on Saturday authorized the deployment of 2,000 national guard troops to Los Angeles, after an immigration crackdown erupted into mass protests for a second day and police in riot gear used teargas on bystanders.
Shortly before the release of the White House statement, the California governor, Gavin Newsom, said in a statement on X that the federal government was “moving to take over” the California national guard. Newsom said the move was “purposefully inflammatory” and warned that it would “only escalate tensions”. The California governor, Gavin Newsom, said in a statement on X that the federal government was “moving to take over” the California national guard. Newsom said the move was “purposefully inflammatory” and warned that it would “only escalate tensions”.
“This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust,” he said.“This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust,” he said.
The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Saturday evening accused California’s Democratic leaders of having “completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens”. Tensions started on Friday, when protesters clashed with law enforcement officials conducting immigration raids on multiple locations in the city’s downtown. On Saturday, US immigration authorities extended area raids into Paramount, south-east of Los Angeles, and were met with more protests outside an industrial park.
“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,” she said in a statement. “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.” In an hours-long standoff, border patrol personnel in riot gear and gas masks stood guard outside the park, deploying teargas as bystanders and protesters gathered on medians and across the street, some jeering at authorities while recording the event on smartphones.
In a social media post, Trump said the federal government would “step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!” Earlier on Saturday, Tom Homan, the White House “border czar”, was the first to say the administration would mobilize the national guard.
“We’re gonna bring national guard in tonight and we’re gonna continue doing our job. This is about enforcing the law,” Homan said in an interview with Fox News.
US immigration authorities on Saturday had extended area raids into Paramount, south-east of Los Angeles, and were met with more protests outside an industrial park.
Border patrol personnel in riot gear and gas masks stood guard outside the park, deploying teargas as bystanders and protesters gathered on medians and across the street, some jeering at authorities while recording the event on smartphones.
“Ice out of Paramount. We see you for what you are,” a woman announced through a megaphone. “You are not welcome here.”“Ice out of Paramount. We see you for what you are,” a woman announced through a megaphone. “You are not welcome here.”
One handheld sign said: “No Human Being is Illegal.”One handheld sign said: “No Human Being is Illegal.”
Newsom made assurances that LAPD was available to authorities and that his administration was in close contact with city and county officials. “There is currently no unmet need,” he said. The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Saturday evening accused California’s Democratic leaders of having “completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens”.
Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem pushed back against the protesters on Saturday, saying: “A message to the LA rioters: 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.” “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,” she said in a statement, announcing that Trump had signed a memo late Saturday night ordering the national guard deployment.
Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff and architect of Trump’s hardline immigration agenda, wrote on social media that Friday’s demonstrations were “an insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States”. On Saturday, he described the day’s protests as a “violent insurrection”. But Newsom said there was no such need. On Saturday afternoon, he made assurances that the Los Angeles police department was available to authorities and that his administration was in close contact with city and county officials. “There is currently no unmet need,” he said.
During Friday’s protests at a federal detention facility in downtown LA, David Huerta, the president of the California branch of the Service Employees International Union, was arrested amid a police response that included teargas and flash-bangs. On Saturday evening, Newsom tweeted: “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 social media post, Trump insulted Newsom and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass’s handling of the protests and said the federal government would “step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!” Earlier on Saturday, Tom Homan, the White House “border czar”, was the first to say the administration would mobilize the national guard.
“We’re gonna bring national guard in tonight and we’re gonna continue doing our job. This is about enforcing the law,” Homan said in an interview with Fox News.
Bass called reports of civil unrest across the Los Angeles area “deeply concerning” and said the city was in “direct contact” with law enforcement and officials in Washington.
“Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable,” she wrote on X on Saturday evening.
On Friday, Ice officers arrested more than 40 people as they executed search warrants at multiple locations, including outside a clothing warehouse, where a tense scene unfolded as a crowd tried to block agents from driving away.
Advocates for immigrant rights say people were also detained outside Home Depot stores and a doughnut shop.
During afternoon protests at a federal detention facility in downtown LA, David Huerta, the president of the California branch of the Service Employees International Union, was arrested amid a police response that included teargas and flash-bangs.
Huerta, who was injured and detained, released a statement to the Los Angeles Times from the hospital, saying: “What happened to me is not about me. This is about something much bigger.”Huerta, who was injured and detained, released a statement to the Los Angeles Times from the hospital, saying: “What happened to me is not about me. This is about something much bigger.”
“This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that’s happening. 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,” he added.“This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that’s happening. 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,” he added.
“We call for an end to the cruel, destructive, and indiscriminate Ice raids that are tearing apart our communities, disrupting our economy, and hurting all working people,” Tia Orr, executive director of SEIU California, said. California leaders were quick to condemn the raids. Bass said the activity was meant to “sow terror” in the nation’s second-largest city.
On Friday, Newsom said: “Continued chaotic federal sweeps, across California, to meet an arbitrary arrest quota are as reckless as they are cruel. Donald Trump’s chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power America’s economy.”
Newsom also condemned Huerta’s arrest, saying: “David Huerta is a respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people. No one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action.”
The boulevard in Paramount was closed to traffic on Saturday as US Customs and Border Protection circulated through the area. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) representatives did not respond immediately to email inquiries about weekend enforcement activities.
Arrests by immigration authorities in Los Angeles come as Donald Trump and his administration push to fulfill promises to carry out mass deportations across the country.
On Friday, Ice officers arrested more than 40 people as they executed search warrants at multiple locations, including outside a clothing warehouse where a tense scene unfolded as a crowd tried to block agents from driving away.
The Los Angeles mayor, Karen Bass, said the activity was meant to “sow terror” in the nation’s second-largest city.
“I am deeply angered by what has taken place,” Bass said. “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. We will not stand for this.”“I am deeply angered by what has taken place,” Bass said. “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. We will not stand for this.”
In a statement on Saturday, Ice acting director Todd Lyons chided Bass for the city’s response to protests. Newsom said: “Continued chaotic federal sweeps, across California, to meet an arbitrary arrest quota are as reckless as they are cruel. Donald Trump’s chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power America’s economy.”
“Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement,” Lyons said in a statement. “Make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens.” Newsom also condemned Huerta’s arrest, saying: “David Huerta is a respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people. No one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) representatives did not respond immediately to email inquiries about weekend enforcement activities.
The arrests by immigration authorities in Los Angeles come as Donald Trump and his administration push to fulfill promises to carry out mass deportations across the country.
The Department of Homeland Security criticized Bass – and other Democratic lawmakers who spoke out against the raids – as using anti-Ice rhetoric to contribute to violence against immigration agents.The Department of Homeland Security criticized Bass – and other Democratic lawmakers who spoke out against the raids – as using anti-Ice rhetoric to contribute to violence against immigration agents.
“From comparisons to the modern-day Nazi gestapo to glorifying rioters, the violent rhetoric of these sanctuary politicians is beyond the pale. This violence against Ice must end,” said the DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin.“From comparisons to the modern-day Nazi gestapo to glorifying rioters, the violent rhetoric of these sanctuary politicians is beyond the pale. This violence against Ice must end,” said the DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
Protesters gathered Friday evening outside a federal detention center in Los Angeles where lawyers said those arrested had been taken, chanting: “Set them free, let them stay!” In a series of incendiary remarks, Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff and architect of Trump’s hardline immigration agenda, called Friday’s demonstrations “an insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States” and on Saturday described the day’s protests as a “violent insurrection”.
Other protesters held signs that said “ICE out of LA!” and led chants and shouted from megaphones. Some scrawled graffiti on the building facade.
Federal agents executed search warrants at three locations, including a warehouse in the fashion district of Los Angeles, after a judge found there was probable cause the employer was using fictitious documents for some of its workers, according to representatives for homeland security investigations and the US attorney’s office.
Advocates for immigrant rights say people were detained Friday by immigration authorities outside Home Depot stores and a doughnut shop.
In a post on X, the California representative Jimmy Gomez called the raids “pure intimidation by Trump and his cronies to scare and divide us”.
“You have the right to remain silent. Film everything. Don’t sign anything without a lawyer. Don’t open the door w/o a signed warrant,” Gomez said.