The Trump administration has sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles County amidst ongoing anti-ICE protests, CBS Los Angeles reports. The decision came after ICE operations on Friday led to more than 40 people being detained, sparking large-scale protests. According to CBS, the National Guard deployment was announced on Saturday by the president who used his Title 10 authority, allowing for a 60-day deployment or longer at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told followers on social media, "Under President Trump, violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated." Despite the mayor's claim that the National Guard had not been deployed in the city, military personnel were seen arriving in downtown L.A. around 4 a.m. on Sunday according to KTLA 5.
Concurrently, a rally has been planned for 2 p.m., though impromptu demonstrations are expected to occur Sunday morning. The escalation in tensions is stark as local and state leaders grapple with federal actions - with the president calling out L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom for their handling of the situation, stating on social media, "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!!!," CBS Los Angeles reported.
The move has been met with widespread criticism. California Governor Gavin Newsom described the decision as "purposefully inflammatory," in a statement obtained by FOX 11. Rep. Nanette Barragán, voiced her discontent, saying, "ICE has brought their terror tactics and masked agents to #Paramount this morning -- in my district," as per her social media post.
Protests began on Friday after CBP agents were spotted near a Home Depot in Paramount. The escalating situation led to tensions and confrontation between protesters and federal law enforcement. By Saturday, clashes with ICE agents occurred outside the Federal Detention Center in downtown L.A., with reports by KTLA 5 of ICE agents using non-lethal munitions and federal facilities being targeted by demonstrators.
