National Guardsmen Authorized to Detain Protesters in Los Angeles

In response to ongoing unrest in Los Angeles, the Department of Homeland Security has stated that national security guards have the authority to temporarily detain those involved in anti-ICE protests. This move comes as President Trump has deployed about 4,000 guards to the city amid escalating tensions.

Major General Scott Sherman mentioned that, so far, only a few detentions have occurred. He emphasized that National Guard troops are primarily there to protect ICE officers and other federal agents. “If an ICE officer faces an attack, the military personnel can detain individuals until local law enforcement arrives,” Sherman explained in a statement to Axios.

Interestingly, Sherman noted that around 500 National Guard troops have received training aimed at supporting immigration operations in the area. Photographs have surfaced showing guard members working alongside Department of Homeland Security agents.

Over the past few days, some National Guard personnel have temporarily detained protesters, but Sherman indicated that the situation has calmed significantly since then. He clarified that these troops are not involved in direct law enforcement actions; rather, they simply monitor the protests. When police took over, the guards released the protesters they had held.

This situation has fueled tensions between California Governor Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration, with Newsom accusing the federal government of acting unlawfully without consulting state officials. The Trump administration, on the other hand, has defended its operations as necessary to target serious criminal elements.