National Guard on Scene Following Los Angeles Protests: Police

The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Central Division reported on Sunday that the National Guard is in the city and has set up at federal buildings, including the Civic Center area, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Why It Matters

The Trump administration has pledged to carry out the largest mass deportation in U.S. history and has conducted numerous Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, some of which have swept up individuals with proper documentation.

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday evening that he had authorized the mobilization of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after reported violence against law enforcement, specifically, ICE agents carrying out deportation raids in the city.

While the raids are following legal directive from federal authorities, protests have amid reports that detainees were being held in the basement of a federal building. ICE denied these allegations, with a spokesperson previously telling Newsweek the agency “categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles.”

The raids in Paramount, Los Angeles County, followed similar action in locations through other parts of the city on Friday, during which police arrested at least 44 people. Some protesters have thrown rocks at officers, with one allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail, and burning items in the streets. Police responded with tear gas.

The clashes highlight deepening conflicts between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal immigration policy, as Trump has implemented sweeping changes through executive orders and utilized the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expand deportation authority.

What To Know

Trump announced that he had mobilized the National Guard on Saturday night, citing 10 U.S.C. 12406, a specific provision within Title 10 of the U.S. Code on Armed Services that allows the federal deployment of National Guard forces if “there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.”

Trump wrote in his order: “Numerous incidents of violence and disorder have recently occurred and threaten to continue in response to the enforcement of Federal law by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other United States Government personnel who are performing Federal functions and supporting the faithful execution of Federal immigration laws. In addition, violent protests threaten the security of and significant damage to Federal immigration detention facilities and other Federal property.”

The order continued: “To the extent that protests or acts of violence directly inhibit the execution of the laws, they constitute a form of rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.”

Despite mobilizing the National Guard on Saturday evening, troops did not arrive until Sunday morning, well after the protests had ended for the day.

LAPD Central Division on Sunday wrote on X that the National Guard had been deployed to federal facilities, stressing that “everyone has the right to peacefully assemble and voice their opinions. However, vandalizing property and attempting to seriously injure officers, whether Federal or LAPD, is not peaceful.”

“Officers are deployed and monitoring activities in the Civic Center area,” the police added.

What People Are Saying

Border czar Tom Homan on Fox News on Saturday said: “We’re already mobilizing. We’re gonna bring the National Guard in tonight and we’re gonna continue doing our job. This is about enforcing the law.”

He added: “American people, this is about enforcing the law, and again, we’re not going to apologize for doing it.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom on X following Trump’s National Guard announcement: “The federal government is moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers. That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions. LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice. We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need.”

He added: “The Guard has been admirably serving LA throughout recovery. This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.”

President Donald Trump on Truth Social wrote on Saturday: “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!!!”

What Happens Next?

Protesters have gathered for a third day as law enforcement continues to ramp up its operations.