Trump sends 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after ICE protest clashes

The White House has confirmed the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles County. The decision followed two consecutive days of large-scale immigration protests and reported clashes between demonstrators and federal law enforcement in Paramount and Downtown Los Angeles. The directive was signed via a presidential memorandum by President Donald Trump, who stated the troops were needed to respond to what he described as “lawlessness” in the state.

The official announcement was made by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who stated that California’s “Democrat leaders have abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.” The deployment marks one of the largest federal military activations in California for immigration-related unrest since the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

What triggered the ICE protests in Los Angeles?

The unrest was ignited by a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across Los Angeles on June 6 and June 7. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California, federal agents conducted workplace enforcement actions in the Fashion District, targeting suspected undocumented workers. More than 100 individuals were reportedly detained, with the federal government confirming administrative arrests tied to “criminal alien operations.”

Among those detained, ICE officials alleged, were individuals with prior records involving gang activity, child endangerment, and smuggling offenses. The sweep led to a growing crowd of demonstrators gathering outside the Edward Roybal Federal Building by late Friday afternoon. Protesters attempted to block vans from leaving the site, leading the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to declare an unlawful assembly shortly after 7:00 p.m. on June 6.

What happened during the ICE protest in Paramount?

On Saturday, June 7, a separate protest was organized in the city of Paramount, located in Los Angeles County. Demonstrations intensified following rumors that another ICE raid was underway in a Home Depot parking lot. According to Paramount Mayor Peggy Lemons, federal agents were merely “staging,” not actively conducting a raid, though the staging presence was visible and substantial.

Footage from the area shows law enforcement deploying flash-bang grenades and pepper balls toward protestors. A car was set on fire near the demonstration site, and video captured Border Patrol personnel forming defensive lines as tensions escalated. Federal authorities later reported multiple arrests and at least one injury to a federal agent, citing instances of projectiles being thrown at officers.

How did federal agencies describe the unrest?

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks stated via social media that several individuals were arrested for assaulting federal agents. The Department of Homeland Security released a statement calling the violence “despicable,” blaming city leaders such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for enabling what they labeled as “mob behavior.”

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons accused local leaders and police of failing to respond in time. Lyons alleged that more than 1,000 rioters surrounded the Roybal Federal Building on Friday and said ICE officers were “vastly outnumbered.” He added that federal agents had been attempting to arrest “criminal illegal aliens,” and he expressed disappointment in the Los Angeles Police Department’s handling of the situation.

What has been the response from California officials?

California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized the federal move. He stated on social media that the attempt to “take over the California National Guard” was unconstitutional and inflammatory. According to Newsom, local law enforcement agencies, including LAPD and the LA County Sheriff’s Department, had not requested National Guard assistance and were capable of maintaining order.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed this sentiment, calling the ICE raids “fear-inducing” and stating that they “sowed terror in our communities.” Bass emphasized that city officials, including the police department, had not received advance notice of the federal raids. She added that her office was in “close coordination with immigrant rights organizations” and promised to ensure the protection of peaceful demonstrators.

The LAPD disputed ICE claims that it delayed assistance for over two hours. The police department issued a written statement explaining that their response was hindered by federal agents’ use of chemical irritants prior to LAPD arrival, creating a hazardous environment. According to the statement, LAPD began its crowd control operations within 55 minutes of receiving a formal request for aid.

What role are local law enforcement agencies playing?

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated that its deputies were not involved in any civil immigration enforcement operations and were dispatched solely to manage traffic and crowd control. Officials reiterated that the department does not participate in mass deportation sweeps or provide routine assistance to federal immigration agents.

Sheriff’s officials also emphasized the importance of protecting First Amendment rights and called on the public to protest peacefully. They noted that their main responsibility was ensuring the safety of all individuals present, including residents, protestors, and bystanders.

How is federal-local cooperation unfolding?

Tensions between local and federal authorities have intensified. While federal agencies accuse local leaders of undermining lawful immigration enforcement, California officials argue that the federal government failed to communicate its operations clearly and is now exacerbating tensions through military deployment.

The lack of coordination was especially evident in LAPD’s public statement, which implied that federal agencies’ use of force may have complicated the city’s emergency response planning. At the same time, Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom have taken a stance opposing federal overreach, aligning themselves with immigrant communities and civil rights organizations.

What are the legal and political implications of the National Guard deployment?

The federal activation of the California National Guard without a formal state request is highly unusual and controversial. Legal experts note that while the president can federalize the Guard under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, such actions typically occur only during catastrophic emergencies or major civil unrest.

Critics argue that deploying the Guard in this context is politically motivated and could further inflame divisions within immigrant communities and between state and federal authorities. Supporters of the move, including several Republican governors and legislators, claim the deployment is justified in light of rising law enforcement assaults and the scale of the protests.

This situation may reignite legal debates over the scope of federal authority under the Insurrection Act and the National Emergencies Act—both of which have been invoked in prior immigration and riot-related interventions. Civil liberties organizations are monitoring the situation and have hinted at possible legal challenges if the deployment leads to aggressive crowd control actions or detentions.

What happens next in Los Angeles?

As of Sunday morning, June 8, several hundred National Guard personnel had already arrived at staging zones in LA County. According to a spokesperson for the California Military Department, their primary role is to assist with traffic redirection, infrastructure protection, and ensuring security near federal buildings. Direct engagement with protestors has not been authorized at this time.

Meanwhile, immigration advocacy groups are planning further demonstrations across major California cities, including San Diego, San Jose, and Fresno. The ACLU of Southern California has filed requests for public records regarding the June 6 raids and is exploring legal avenues to challenge what it calls “widespread and arbitrary detentions.”

Federal agencies, including ICE, DHS, and the FBI, have reaffirmed that operations will continue as scheduled, with additional immigration enforcement actions reportedly planned through the coming week.