Trump to send National Guard troops to quell LA protests

WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES: The administration of US President Donald Trump said Saturday it will deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles.

Protesters have been clashing with security forces in the West coast city since dozens of migrants were detained in multiple raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Friday.

In a statement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the “violent mobs” that have attacked officers “carrying out basic deportation operations” which she said were “essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals” into the country.

“In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens. 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,” Leavitt said.

Trump’s so-called border czar, Tom Homan, also confirmed to US broadcaster Fox News on Saturday that federal authorities were “going to bring the National Guard in tonight.”

“We are making Los Angeles safer. Mayor (Karen) Bass should be thanking us,” Homan said.

Bass had said that LA authorities would “not stand” for immigrants being targeted by ICE.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, who was criticized and mocked by Trump earlier on Saturday, has slammed the move, calling it “purposefully inflammatory.”

“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,” Newsom said on X.

“This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust,” the governor added.

DEPLOYMENT OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS IN THE PAST

According to the Los Angeles Times, the National Guard has been deployed previously, but only during widespread civil unrest, for example, during the upheaval associated with the 2020 protests following the murder of George Floyd, or the riots that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992.

This time, clashes between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and law enforcement have been limited to isolated areas, including the Home Depot in Paramount, a location in LA’s fashion district, and the Civic Center.

The unrest was sparked when ICE officers executed search warrants at multiple locations on Friday.

They were wearing military-style uniforms, arrived in armored trucks and other unmarked vehicles, and had their faces covered.

“The federal government is sowing chaos so they can have an excuse to escalate. That is not the way any civilized country behaves,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said.

LA MAYOR SAYS NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS NOT DEPLOYED

Shortly after President Donald Trump praised the National Guard’s efforts in Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass clarified that the troops had not yet arrived.

“Just to be clear, the National Guard has not been deployed in the City of Los Angeles,” she wrote on X.

Trump earlier praised the National Guard “for a job well done” only hours after activating their deployment to Los Angeles.

According to The New York Times, Bilal Essayli, the interim US attorney for the Central District of California, said guard troops will be on the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday.

“They’re going to primarily be focused on protecting federal property, so I think you can expect to see them at least in downtown LA,” the paper quoted him as saying.

Also read: Riot police, anti-ICE protesters square off in Los Angeles after raids