Category: Politics

As demonstrations over the immigration raids entered their fourth consecutive day in Los Angeles, U.S. President Donald Trump approved the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to manage potential unrest, according to a report by the Associated Press. The Pentagon also confirmed the deployment of 700 Marines to downtown Los Angeles to assist the National Guard amid growing public agitation and citywide disruptions. However, LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell expressed concerns about the Marines being deployed without prior coordination, calling it a “significant logistical and operational challenge,” even as he assured the public of the department’s readiness to manage large-scale protests. The protests are in response to the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement actions, which led to confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officials. Intelligence agencies have pointed to a combination of factors behind the unrest, including the immigration raids themselves and the increasing federal military presence in the city. Protests Sparked by Immigration Crackdown The unrest began last Friday when dozens of day laborers and undocumented individuals gathered in the parking lot of a hardware store in Los Angeles to protest after federal immigration officers conducted widespread raids across Southern California. More than 40 arrests were made citywide by federal authorities on that day alone. Over the weekend, tensions escalated further. On Saturday, LAPD arrested 29 individuals for refusing to disperse, and by Sunday, 21 more were taken into custody on charges including assault on police officers, use of incendiary devices, and theft. Police Response and Escalation In a statement, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and other crowd-control methods—over 600 less-than-lethal munitions were used. Five officers reportedly sustained minor injuries. Visuals from Monday captured the intense atmosphere as police dispersed demonstrators with flash-bangs in Santa Ana, pushing through busy commercial zones while civilians and workers scrambled for safety. Labor Leader Arrested, Rally Held On Monday, thousands gathered outside City Hall in support of labor leader David Huerta, who had been arrested for his participation in the protests. Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California, which advocates for janitors, security personnel, and other essential workers, was released later that day on a $50,000 bond. Family members of those detained during the raids also staged a protest, demanding their immediate release. Federal Deployment Triggers Political Backlash In a controversial move, the Trump administration authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops last week, claiming it was necessary to restore order in what it termed a state of “lawlessness” in California. This action was met with strong opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the move “purposefully inflammatory” and warned that it would only worsen tensions. On Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced via social media that 700 Marines were being deployed to further support crowd-control operations. Just hours later, President Trump authorized an additional 2,000 National Guard troops, bringing the total federally activated force in LA to over 4,100. Historical Parallel The Brennan Center for Justice noted that the last instance of the National Guard being activated without a governor’s consent occurred in 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson dispatched troops to protect a civil rights march in Alabama. As the situation in Los Angeles continues to evolve, concerns remain over the impact of military involvement in civil demonstrations and the potential for further escalation.

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles following two consecutive days of violent clashes between protesters and federal immigration agents. The move, made over the strong objections of California Governor Gavin Newsom, marks a significant escalation in tensions between state and federal authorities. Violence erupted again on Saturday in Paramount, a predominantly Latino suburb south of Los Angeles. Protesters clashed with federal agents using tear gas, flash-bangs, and pepper balls, while demonstrators retaliated with rocks and broken cinder blocks. Smoke filled the air from burning debris, and confrontations also spread to neighboring Compton, where a car was set on fire. The protests were triggered by a wave of immigration enforcement sweeps earlier in the week in L.A.’s fashion district and other neighborhoods, leading to over 100 arrests. The situation intensified after the arrest of a well-known union leader, who was accused of obstructing law enforcement during a protest. In a statement, the White House said Trump’s decision to send in the Guard was to “address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that if the violence continues, active-duty Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton would also be deployed. Governor Newsom criticized the move, calling it “purposefully inflammatory” and likely to “escalate tensions.” He emphasized that local law enforcement has the resources it needs and urged the public not to fuel the federal government’s desire for a “spectacle.” Newsom also pointed out that Trump federalized the troops under Title 10, placing them under federal command and removing the governor’s oversight. Protests continued through the night in Paramount, with hundreds of demonstrators gathering near local businesses. Homeland Security facilities were reportedly staging points for agents, although local officials, including Paramount Mayor Peggy Lemons, denied that raids occurred within the city itself. Still, the presence of federal officers sparked anger, with protesters chanting slogans like “ICE out of Paramount” and holding signs declaring, “No Human Being is Illegal.” Multiple arrests have been made, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office releasing the names and mugshots of individuals accused of obstructing immigration agents. Demonstrations also erupted outside federal buildings in downtown L.A., where local police declared unlawful assemblies and detained several people. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the immigration crackdown, accusing Democratic leaders in California of abandoning their duty to protect citizens. She claimed the actions of immigration officers were essential to stopping “the invasion of illegal criminals.” President Trump’s deployment order came just before he attended a UFC match in New Jersey, where he sat ringside with boxing legend Mike Tyson. In a social media post prior to signing the order, Trump threatened that if Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass failed to act, “the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!” Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol confirmed that Newsom had ordered additional state officers to assist in maintaining public safety, signaling the state’s intent to handle the crisis independently despite federal intervention.