Trump Deploys National Guard to Los Angeles Amid Immigration Protests
President Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles. This decision comes as a measure to prevent a repeat of the unrest seen in 2020, which included immigrant protests that turned into riots. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem spoke on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” emphasizing that Trump is prioritizing the safety of communities and law enforcement.
Noem stated, “President Trump has placed the safety of our communities affected by these riots and these violent protests, and he has put the safety of our law enforcement officials first.” The unrest is reportedly linked to aggressive immigration policies in California. Federal authorities note that some migrants arrested recently have prior criminal records, including offenses like assault and drug-related crimes.
Governor Noem criticized California’s Democratic leadership, particularly Governor Gavin Newsom, suggesting that deploying troops was an unwise decision. Newsom responded, claiming Trump is not deploying the National Guard due to a lack of law enforcement resources, but rather for show.
Newsom mentioned that the California Highway Patrol is tasked with keeping highways safe and pointed out that enforcing federal immigration laws isn’t part of their duties. Nonetheless, Noem argued that Trump is determined to avoid a situation like what happened in 2020.
She cited Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, who faced criticism for his delayed response during the riots that year. After the riots started, Walz called for National Guard assistance two days later, a decision Noem labels as poorly timed.
Noem highlighted that the National Guard being sent to Los Angeles has been specially trained for crowd control situations in ensuring both peaceful protests and the safety of law enforcement. While she acknowledged the need for security, she did not disclose precise locations for troop deployment.
“They are there at the president’s direction to maintain peace and enable people to not only protest, but also to maintain law and order,” Noem remarked, underscoring the importance of this mission for Trump.
