Trump Deploys National Guard to L.A. Amid Immigration Raid Protests

President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, escalating tensions with California Governor Gavin Newsom amid widespread protests over federal immigration raids.

Violent Clashes Erupt Across L.A.

Protests broke out in Paramount and downtown Los Angeles following a series of immigration raids. Tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades were used to disperse crowds. Protesters shattered police cruiser windows and set fire to a car in Compton. Over a dozen demonstrators were arrested for obstructing federal agents.

Law enforcement officials described the situation as “chaotic,” with federal officers staging in locations near public businesses and triggering mass unrest. Protesters, many waving Mexican flags, clashed with Border Patrol and ICE units.

Trump Federalizes California National Guard

President Trump signed a memo authorizing the federalization of the National Guard, overriding Gov. Newsom’s objections. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the deployment aims to combat “lawlessness” and support immigration enforcement.

Trump’s border czar Tom Homan warned that Gov. Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass could be arrested if they interfere with federal operations. “There’s zero tolerance,” Homan told NBC News.

Newsom and Bass Push Back

Gov. Newsom condemned the move as “purposefully inflammatory” and warned it could erode public trust. “The federal government is taking over the California National Guard not out of necessity, but to create a spectacle,” he said.

L.A. Mayor Bass, initially critical of the raids, later warned that “violence and destruction are unacceptable” and pledged consequences for those inciting unrest. ICE Director Todd Lyons accused Bass of siding with “chaos over law enforcement.”

Political and Legal Tensions Rise

The LAPD disputed federal claims of delayed backup during the raids, saying officers responded within an hour. Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth suggested U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton could be deployed if violence continues.

The protests follow Trump’s national immigration enforcement goal of 3,000 arrests per day, drawing national scrutiny over civil rights and law enforcement practices.