LOS ANGELES (Diya TV) — President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guardsmen to Los Angeles, as protests against federal immigration enforcement erupted into two days of street clashes and fiery scenes across the city.
“In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “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.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Department of Defense is “mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY” and warned that if violence continues, “active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the federal government’s move “purposefully inflammatory” and argued it would “only escalate tensions.” “LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice,” he said. “We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need.”
On the ground, the protests have been intense and chaotic. In Paramount, a car was set on fire as smoke rose above the crowds. “As deputies arrived, it appeared that federal law enforcement officers were in the area, and that members of the public were gathering to protest,” said the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. They emphasized that their role was limited to “traffic and crowd control management” and that they “do not participate in any civil immigration enforcement activities or mass deportation sweeps.”
The city’s mayor, Karen Bass, has condemned the raids and the tactics used. “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,” she said. “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. We will not stand for this.”
Federal officials, however, placed the blame for the violence squarely on local leaders. “What took place in Los Angeles yesterday was appalling,” said ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons. “As rioters attacked federal ICE and law enforcement officers on the LA streets, Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.” Lyons claimed ICE officers were arresting “criminal illegal aliens including gang members, drug traffickers and those with a history of assault, cruelty to children, domestic violence, robbery, and smuggling.”
The LAPD disputed these claims, saying that federal agents had already used chemical irritants before they arrived, slowing down their response. “Contrary to the claim that LAPD delayed its response for over two hours, our personnel mobilized and acted as swiftly as conditions safely allowed,” the department said. “Within 55 minutes of receiving the call, we began to disperse the hostile and riotous crowd.”
Friday night’s protests in downtown Los Angeles saw large crowds gather near the Edward Roybal Federal Building. “Once again, an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY has been declared. You must leave the area. The use of less lethal munitions has been authorized by the Incident Commander,” the LAPD posted.
Bass, meanwhile, has urged calm while expressing solidarity with immigrants and their families. “Reports of unrest outside the city, including in Paramount, are deeply concerning,” she said. “Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
