President Trump on Saturday deployed 2,000 California National Guard members to Los Angeles County after federal immigration officers in riot gear battled protesters for a second straight day.
Hundreds of protesters have formed into a violent mob seeking to stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carrying out deportation sweeps in Paramount, California.
In a statement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the 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,” she said. “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.”
“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. These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice,” Ms. Leavitt continued.
Mr. Trump has the authority to mobilize troops under Title 10, a federal law that places the president above governors in the chain of command for the National Guard.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on X that he placed Marines at nearby Camp Pendleton on high alert, and if the violence continues, they will also be deployed to Los Angeles.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, blasted the decision, saying it will exacerbate an already tense situation and that state and local law enforcement have the situation under control.
“The Federal government is moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers,” Mr. Newsom said in a statement. “That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.”
Mr. Newsom called the National Guard deployment “the wrong mission” that will “erode public trust.”
On Saturday, tear gas was set off near a Home Depot in Paramount where ICE officers were reported conducting a raid. The incident followed a clash between police and protesters Friday in downtown Los Angeles, where the Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly because officers reported a small group of violent individuals began throwing large pieces of concrete.
Border Patrol agents in riot gear and gas masks stood outside an industrial park in Paramount deploying tear gas as protesters gathered on the street, booing officers and recording the events on their phones.
“ICE out of Paramount. We see you for what you are. You are not welcome here,” a woman said through a megaphone, according to videos posted on social media.
Another protester held up a sign that read, “No human being is illegal.”
Following the Home Depot raid, a violent protest erupted and several arrests were made for assault on a federal agent, according to the U.S. Border Patrol. Border Patrol agents also had their cars pelted with rocks and fires were set in the area with several vehicles burning.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks shared a photo of a Border Patrol agent’s bloody hand, which he said was caused by a rock flying through the agent’s windshield.
“ANY attack on our agents or officers will not be tolerated,” he wrote on X. “You will be arrested and federally prosecuted.”
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that recent ICE operations in Los Angeles resulted in the arrest of 118 immigrants, including five people tied to criminal organizations and others with prior criminal histories.
Mr. Trump on Truth Social blamed local and state leadership for failing to act to protect federal agents.
“IF Governor Gavin Newscum of California and Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the federal government will step in and solve the problem. RIOTS & LOOTERS the way it should be solved,” Mr. Trump wrote.
Mr. Newsom fired back, asserting local authorities had the situation under control.
“LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice. We are in close coordination with the city and country and there is currently no unmet need,” he wrote on social media Saturday.
Vice President JD Vance also chimed in on Truth Social, condemning the protests.
“For the far left rioters, some helpful advice; peaceful protest is good. Rioting and obstructing justice is not,” he said.
The Paramount protests follow the downtown Los Angeles incident in which rioters surrounded a federal law enforcement building, assaulted ICE agents, slashed tires and vandalized buildings.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass did not immediately speak out against the protests but took to X late Saturday and called the violence “unacceptable.”
“Reports of unrest outside the city, including Paramount, are deeply concerning. We’ve been in direct contact with officials in Washington, D.C., and we are working closely with law enforcement to find the best path forward,” she wrote.
“Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable and those responsible will be held accountable,” the message continued.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.