The federal government announced the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Saturday amid ongoing protests following recent immigration enforcement actions. Demonstrations were held in the Paramount area of southeast Los Angeles and later in the downtown area, where participants voiced opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the military is prepared to mobilize active-duty troops if the situation escalates. Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton have reportedly been placed on alert.
President Trump authorized the deployment through a presidential memorandum, citing concerns over public safety. A senior immigration official confirmed that National Guard personnel would be deployed to the Los Angeles area over the weekend.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the decision, describing it as politically motivated. He urged residents to remain peaceful and avoid engaging in violence, stating that the deployment was not due to a lack of local law enforcement resources.
In a statement on social media, President Trump suggested that if local and state officials were unable to manage the situation, the federal government would intervene to restore order.
The demonstrations have highlighted ongoing tensions between the federal government’s immigration policies and local officials in Los Angeles, a city with a large immigrant population. Vice President JD Vance described the protests as hostile toward federal immigration enforcement, while White House aide Stephen Miller referred to them as a “violent insurrection.”
At this time, the Insurrection Act, which permits the use of active-duty military forces for domestic law enforcement, has not been invoked. According to federal officials, National Guard troops can typically be deployed within 24 hours when needed.
Footage from Saturday’s events showed federal officers in protective gear positioned along streets where debris and tear gas were visible. Law enforcement detained several individuals, though authorities have not confirmed the number of arrests.
The protests began Friday evening following ICE operations in various locations throughout the city. At least 44 individuals were detained for suspected immigration violations. The Department of Homeland Security estimated that approximately 1,000 people participated in the Friday protests.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns that some individuals detained may have legal immigration status. Angelica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA, stated that legal representatives have not yet been able to access those taken into custody, and described the situation as concerning.
The federal administration has set a goal for ICE to detain up to 3,000 individuals per day as part of a broader immigration enforcement initiative. Critics argue that the operations may affect individuals with legal status and lead to legal challenges.
Local officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, expressed concern over the federal actions. Bass stated that the raids were alarming and contributed to fear in local communities.
ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Los Angeles Police Department have not issued detailed statements in response to inquiries about the protests or enforcement actions carried out on Saturday.
According to advocacy groups, Friday’s operations targeted areas such as retail store parking lots, a warehouse, and a garment factory, where day laborers and street vendors were reportedly detained.
