President Donald Trump has deployed 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles to confront growing unrest as LA riots intensify following mass immigration arrests — a move directly opposed by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Over the past two days, chaotic scenes have unfolded in Paramount and Compton, where hundreds of protesters clashed with Border Patrol agents after federal immigration authorities arrested more than 100 people in sweeping raids across the city.
LA Riots Erupt in Paramount and Beyond
What began as peaceful protests quickly spiraled into LA riots, marked by tear gas, pepper balls, rocks thrown at vehicles, and burning trash in the streets. Demonstrators blocked roads, pulled shopping carts into traffic, and pelted Border Patrol vans with debris outside a Home Depot parking lot, long known as a gathering point for day laborers.
Local leaders, including Paramount Mayor Peggy Lemons, criticized federal agents for staging operations without notifying city officials. “It’s not a surprise that chaos would follow,” she said, as footage of the confrontations went viral.
Signs reading “No Human Being Is Illegal” and chants like “ICE out of Paramount” echoed through the streets. By Saturday night, several people had been arrested on federal charges of impeding law enforcement, and tensions showed no signs of easing.
Trump Takes Control Under Title 10
In a rare move, Trump invoked Title 10 authority, federalizing the California National Guard and cutting Newsom out of the chain of command, to deal with the LA Riots. The White House justified the deployment by claiming it was necessary to end the “lawlessness” and restore order amid what it called “riots and looting.”
Trump issued the order just before attending a UFC event in New Jersey, where he was seen ringside with Mike Tyson. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton were on standby if unrest worsened.
Newsom Pushes Back
Governor Newsom swiftly condemned the president’s actions, calling the deployment “inflammatory” and “dangerous.” He insisted local authorities were already in control and accused the federal government of stoking the flames of conflict. “They want a spectacle. Don’t give them one,” he said in a post on X.
California Highway Patrol has deployed additional officers to the Los Angeles area, but Newsom has maintained there is “no unmet need” requiring federal intervention.
Union Leader Among Those Arrested
Among the 118 people arrested in Friday’s immigration operation was David Huerta, a prominent leader of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). His arrest during a protest drew sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called for his immediate release.
“This is a disturbing pattern — arresting citizens for exercising free speech,” Schumer warned.
From Protest to Crisis
As the LA riots continue, city officials face a mounting crisis. Federal buildings downtown have become protest hotspots, with demonstrators clashing with police outside a detention center. LAPD declared an unlawful assembly late Saturday.
Trump’s decision to bypass state authority has drawn comparisons to his 2020 rhetoric following the death of George Floyd, when he threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act — though he has not done so in this case.
For now, Los Angeles finds itself at a flashpoint, with immigration policy, civil rights, and federal power colliding on the streets of a deeply divided city.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
Source:https://themusicessentials.com/news/trump-deploys-national-guard-amid-la-riots-over-immigration-raids/