President Donald Trump Sunday is praising the National Guard response to Los Angeles-area unrest following a series of confrontational immigration raids, but Mayor Karen Bass says no troops are currently in the city.
“Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest,” the president posted at 11:41 p.m. Saturday “We have an incompetent Governor (Newscum) and Mayor (Bass) who were, as usual (just look at how they handled the fires, and now their VERY SLOW PERMITTING disaster. Federal permitting is complete!), unable to to handle the task.
“These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT BE TOLERATED. Also, from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why??? Again, thank you to the National Guard for a job well done!”
About an hour later, Bass said on X that “I want to thank LAPD and local law enforcement for their work tonight. I also want to thank @GovernorNewsom for his support. Just to be clear, the National Guard has not been deployed in the City of Los Angeles.”
The dispute comes amid a White House Memorandum announcing plans to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles following two-days of clashes between protesters and federal agents carrying out immigration raids across the Southland.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that multiple people had been detained overnight after they “reentered the area of the Unlawful Assembly and against the Dispersal Order” following Saturday skirmishes on Alameda Street — between Aliso and Temple streets — which led to the demonstration being shutdown.
Also Saturday, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said it arrested two people for an alleged assault on a peace officer. An unidentified source told the Los Angeles Times the arrests were made after three deputies were struck and sustained minor injuries from a thrown Molotov cocktail.
The Presidential Memorandum posted Saturday on the White House website ordered the deployment of the National Guard in light of “numerous incidents of violence and disorder [which] … 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.”
The order states, in part that “The members and units of the National Guard called into Federal service shall be at least 2,000 National Guard personnel and the duration of duty shall be for 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense.
” In addition, the Secretary of Defense may employ any other members of the regular Armed Forces as necessary to augment and support the protection of Federal functions and property in any number determined appropriate in his discretion.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he has placed U.S. Marines at Camp Pendleton in San Diego on “high alert” to be deployed if needed.
“In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California,” the White House noted. “These 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.
“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. The Commander-in-Chief will ensure the laws of the United States are executed fully and completely.”
It was unclear Sunday morning whether Guard troops or Marines were actually in Los Angeles and, if not, when they would arrive.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, who typically only deploys the California National Guard upon request from local law enforcement, accused Trump of trying to create a “spectacle” rather than acting on a “legitimate need.”
“The federal government is moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers,” Newsom posted on social media. “That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.
“L.A. 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. This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.”
Further, Newsom accused the Trump Administration of ordering the troop deployment “not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle. Don’t give them one. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully,”
Saturday saw immigration raids, and protests in response, at several locations including a Home Depot at 6400 Alondra Blvd. in Paramount where demonstrations escalated throughout the day amid repeated confrontations between protesters and federal agents.
What began as a nonviolent demonstration punctured with chants of “ICE go home” and “No justice, no peace” before federal agents lobbed multiple rounds of flash-bangs and pepper balls in response.
At one point, a Blackhawk helicopter landed on a Paramount street and was unloaded of what appeared to be large amounts of weapons and ammunition. Video from Channel 7 showed the resupply effort near a Department of Homeland Security office at 6321 Alondra Blvd. at5:45 p.m. Saturday. Fox News reported that the office was being used as a staging area for immigration raids.
Other clashes Saturday outside a federal building on Alameda Street, between Aliso and Temple streets, that ended with Los Angeles police officers marching side by side, then creating a line as they clashed with protesters while declaring the gathering and Unlawful Assembly and working to disperse even as several protesters refused to leave.
On Friday, 48 protesters were arrested following a day-long series of immigration enforcement actions in downtown Los Angeles — including the Fashion District — and the impromptu demonstration that followed.
In a statement issued Saturday, Mayor Karen Bass said “This is a difficult time for our city. As we recover from an unprecedented natural disaster, many in our community are feeling fear following recent federal immigration enforcement actions across Los Angeles County. Reports of unrest outside the city, including in Paramount, are deeply concerning.
“We’ve been in direct contact with officials in Washington, D.C., and are working closely with law enforcement to find the best path forward. Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: Violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable.”