Trump Deploys National Guard to LA Amid Anti-ICE Riots

Thousands of National Guardsmen will be deployed to Los Angeles “immediately” as a two-day protest against the Trump administration’s deportation efforts has turned violent and disrupted the city.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Saturday night deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to the city “to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,” pinning blame on “feckless” Democratic leaders in California who “have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.”

Shortly after Leavitt’s statement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the immediate mobilization of the National Guard to control the protests, which he described as “violent mob assaults” on law enforcement.

“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. The @DeptofDefense is mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles,” Hegseth posted on X.

The defense secretary also said U.S. Marines at Camp Pendleton in San Diego are “on high alert” and will be mobilized as well if the riots continue.

Hegseth’s announcement follows an earlier suggestion of a National Guard deployment from border czar Tom Homan, who revealed the enhanced enforcement measure in a Fox News appearance on Saturday.

“We’re stepping up. … We’re going to bring the National Guard in tonight, we’re going to continue doing our job. We’re going to push back on these people and we’re going to forge along,” said Homan, who has spearheaded Trump’s deportation operation.

The protests, which White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller has called “a violent insurrection,” began on Friday and continued over the weekend after several raids in the area by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Footage of the protests on Saturday show protesters clashing with federal law enforcement, throwing objects at Customs and Border Protection vehicles and in one case blocking a federal bus in the street. Law enforcement have used tear gas, guns that shoot pepper balls, and zip ties, while wearing riot gear and wielding shields, to quell the chaos.

Clashes still continued into Saturday night, with masked protesters throwing rocks at a police blockade down one street, while small fires raged on the ground.

Homan condemned the violence toward law enforcement and signaled that arrests will be made.

“You can protest all you want. You got your First Amendment rights, but if you cross that line of impediment, or you put hands on officers or destroy property, you will be prosecuted. There’s zero tolerance on crossing that line, and that’s what we’re standing by,” Homan added.

The Department of Homeland Security also called on Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) to condemn and put an end to the violent protests.

“The @MayorOfLA and @GavinNewsom must call on these rioters to stop their assaults on our @ICEgov law enforcement. If you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law” DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin posted on X.

Both Bass and Newsom initially blasted the ICE raids that resulted in 45 people detained.

Bass said she was “deeply angered” by the raids, adding that “We will not stand for this.”

“As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our society 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,” the Los Angeles mayor said.

Newsom called the raids “reckless” and “cruel.”

“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,” he said.

In a later statement on Saturday, Bass condemned the violence, adding that she was coordinating with the federal government on a response to the riots.

“We’ve been in direct contact with officials in Washington, D.C., and are working closely with law enforcement to find the best path forward. 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 said.

Newsom also issued two brief statements on Saturday night, both of which largely criticized the Trump administration’s move to deploy the National Guard, with the California governor calling the deployment “purposefully inflammatory” and saying it “will only escalate tensions.”

“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 posted on X.

Newsom also accused the Trump administration of taking over for state law enforcement merely to cause a “spectacle,” adding that state law enforcement resources are sufficient in dealing with the violent clashes.

“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. Don’t give them one,” he posted on X.

Trump had targeted Bass and Newsom shortly before the deployment was finalized, suggesting it was necessary because the two California Democrats “can’t do their jobs.”

“If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!” the president posted on Truth Social.