President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to the Los Angeles area after protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids escalated into riots over the weekend.
ICE began the raids Friday, and agitators took to the streets in downtown Los Angeles and Paramount, Calif. Democrats condemned both the ICE raids and the National Guard response to the riots.
“In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE officers and federal law enforcement agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a news release Saturday. “These operations are 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.”
“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 added. “The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs.”
Fox News circulated a video of agitators driving motorcycles around a burning car amid the protests. One of the motorcyclists waves a Mexican flag amid the mayhem.
Leavitt posted photos showing graffiti reading “death to ICE” and agitators in the streets.
The Department of Homeland Security posted more photos of the mayhem.
The Los Angeles Police Department stated in a news release that “demonstrations” in the city “remained peaceful.” The department said it “appreciates the cooperation of organizers, participants, and community partners who helped ensure public safety throughout the city.”
Democrats Condemn ICE, National Guard
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the ICE raids on Friday.
“This morning, we received reports of federal immigration enforcement actions in multiple locations in Los Angeles,” she wrote. “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. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city.”
“My office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations,” she added. “We will not stand for this.”
The Department of Homeland Security, likely in response to this criticism, released a list of six illegal alien criminals whom authorities detained Saturday. The list included a Vietnamese citizen who DHS said has been convicted of second-degree murder and a Philippine citizen who DHS said has been convicted of rape.
Amid the violence against ICE, Bass called the “reports of unrest outside the city… deeply concerning.” She warned that “violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
Yet when Trump deployed the National Guard into Los Angeles Sunday, Bass condemned this move as a “chaotic escalation.” She urged protesters to “remain peaceful,” but reiterated that “Los Angeles will always stand with everyone who calls our city home.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., also condemned Trump’s move as “purposefully inflammatory” and likely to “escalate tensions.”
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., took to the street to protest as National Guard troops arrived.
“I want to know why they’re here with guns,” Waters told a Los Angeles Times reporter. “Who they conna shoot? There’s no reason to shoot anybody, even if there are protests.”
Trump Celebrates Return to Order
President Trump thanked the National Guard for bringing order to the streets Sunday.
“Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest,” he posted on Truth Social. He called Gov. Newsom and Mayor Bass “incompetent” and “unable to handle the task.”
Trump also stated that “MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why???”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemned Newsom, saying that if the governor had done his job, “people wouldn’t have gotten hurt the last couple of days.”
“We’re not going to let a repeat of 2020 happen,” she added, mentioning the Black Lives Matter riots that claimed at least 26 lives and resulted in between $1 billion and $2 billion in paid insurance claims.
Noem noted that a federal law enforcement officer had suffered a shattered wrist during the violence.
