National Guard Sent to LA During ICE Raid Protests

National Guard Deploys to Los Angeles Amid Riots

Early Sunday morning, the first members of the National Guard arrived in Los Angeles, following violent riots that erupted due to federal immigration enforcement actions. This deployment came in response to President Donald Trump’s directive to send 2,000 troops to the city.

Video footage from ABC 7 Los Angeles shows a Guard vehicle stopping near the Hall of Justice, while additional clips capture troops driving through Paramount, a suburb affected by property damage and fires during the unrest on Saturday. The situation escalated as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the mobilization, highlighting immediate support needed for federal agents confronting the chaotic scenes.

Hegseth, through social media, voiced concerns about what he termed “almost peaceful protests” and condemned the response to federal enforcement actions. He expressed his discontent over the violent clashes, emphasizing that while peaceful protest is acceptable, attacks on law enforcement are not tolerable. The Guard and Marines are present to maintain order, he stated.

The unrest began on Friday after reports of federal immigration agents’ actions in the area sparked protests that turned violent. By Saturday, there were heightened confrontations between demonstrators and immigration officials, resulting in fires, injuries, and property damage.

On Saturday, the White House stated that the troop deployment was necessary to address the “lawlessness” in California. Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their inability to restore order. Meanwhile, the White House expressed support for local and federal law enforcement personnel working to bring stability back to the city.

Governor Newsom, however, described the federal action as “inflammatory,” asserting that it would only heighten tensions. Bass has yet to make a public statement regarding the National Guard’s deployment.