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U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Saturday to address ongoing protests sparked by the federal immigration raids.
"In light of these incidents and credible threats of continued violence, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby call into Federal service members and units of the National Guard under 10 U.S.C. 12406," Trump said in a presidential memorandum.
The US presidential memorandum added, "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."
The deployment comes after two days of clashes between federal immigration agents and protesters following Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations that arrested at least 44 people on Friday.
Trump bypassed California Governor Gavin Newsom's authority by federalizing National Guard units under Title 10 of the United States Code. The president said protests that prevent law enforcement from representing "a form of rebellion" against government authority.
"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," Trump stated.
"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," he added.
Newsom called the deployment "purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions."
"This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust," Newsom said, adding that Trump was deploying troops "not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle."
"As the federal government conducts chaotic immigration sweeps across the country, the state is deploying additional CHP to maintain safety on Los Angeles highways to keep the peace. It's not their job to assist in federal immigration enforcement," California's governor said in a social media post on X.
"The federal government is sowing chaos so they can have an excuse to escalate. That is not the way any civilized country behaves," he added.
Trump posted on Truth Social that if Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass "can't do their jobs," then "the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!"
"The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles — 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," Governor Newsom said in a recent post on X.
Confrontations occurred Saturday near a Home Depot in Paramount, south of Los Angeles, where federal agents used tear gas, flash-bang explosives and pepper balls. Protesters threw rocks and cement at Border Patrol vehicles.
A second protest in downtown Los Angeles Saturday night attracted approximately 60 people who chanted slogans including "ICE out of L.A.!" More than 1,000 protesters had surrounded a federal building downtown on Friday.
The Department of Homeland Security said there were about "1,000 rioters" at Friday's protests.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that active-duty troops could be deployed if violence continues.
"If violence continues, active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized—they are on high alert," Hegseth said on X.
US Vice President JD Vance posted on X that "Insurrectionists carrying foreign flags are attacking immigration enforcement officers."
Senior White House aide Stephen Miller described the protests as a "violent insurrection."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the immigration raids, saying: "I am deeply angered by what has taken place. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city."
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said the LAPD would not participate in immigration enforcement: "The LAPD is not involved in civil immigration enforcement. We will not assist or participate in any sort of mass deportations."
Small Business Administration chief Kelly Loeffler announced her agency would relocate its regional office out of Los Angeles, citing the city's failure to cooperate with ICE.
Two U.S. officials told Reuters the administration has not invoked the Insurrection Act. The 1807 law was last used during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
ICE said it arrested 2,000 undocumented people per day this week nationwide, including 118 individuals in the Los Angeles area.
Border czar Tom Homan said authorities were mobilizing troops to "address violence and destruction occurring near raid locations where demonstrators are gathering."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration has "a zero tolerance" stance on criminal acts and violence, particularly when directed at law enforcement officers.
"The Commander-in-Chief will ensure the laws of the United States are executed fully and completely," Leavitt said.
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