Trump deploys National Guard over L.A.-area protests against immigration raids
CBC
U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized 2,000 California National Guard troops — despite the governor's objections — to the Los Angeles area, where protests on Saturday led to clashes between immigration authorities and demonstrators.
The White House said in a statement Saturday that Trump was deploying the National Guard to "address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester" in California.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, objected to the move and said in a post on X the move from the Republican president was "purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions."
The White House's move to dramatically ratchet up the response came as protests in Paramount, Calif., extended into a second day with tear gas and smoke filling the air as protesters faced off with Border Patrol personnel in riot gear.
Trump federalized part of the state's National Guard under what is known as Title 10 authority, which places him, not the governor, atop the chain of command, Newsom told The Associated Press.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement the work the immigration authorities were doing when met with protest is "essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States. In the wake of this violence, California's feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens."
The president's move came shortly after he issued a threat on his social media network that said if Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass didn't "do their jobs," then "the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!"
In a signal of the administration's aggressive approach, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened in a post on X to deploy the U.S. military.
"If violence continues, active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert," Hegseth said.
Newsom said in his statement on social media that local authorities "are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment's notice," and "there is currently no unmet need."
"This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust," he added.
It comes after the Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement saying the protests had largely remained peaceful, adding "irritants" released into the crowd by federal agents caused safety concerns for responding officers.
Earlier, U.S. Border Patrol personnel in riot gear and gas masks stood guard outside an industrial park in Paramount — roughly 29 kilometres south of Los Angeles — deploying tear gas as bystanders and protesters gathered on medians and across the street, some jeering at authorities while recording the events on smartphones.
"ICE out of Paramount. We see you for what you are," a woman announced through a megaphone, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "You are not welcome here."
