Trump sends 2,000 troops to LA as protesters tear gassed in violent clashes with cops over immigration crackdown
PRESIDENT Donald Trump has ordered 2,000 National Guard troops into Los Angeles as federal immigration raids erupted into chaos.
The move follows several days of tense confrontations between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and protesters in an explosive showdown over immigration enforcement.
The President’s immigration chief, Tom Homan, confirmed the deployment Saturday evening on Fox News.
“We are going to bring the National Guard in tonight,” he said.
“We are making Los Angeles safer.
“Mayor (Karen) Bass should be thanking us.”
Trump hailed the great job by the National Guard, praising the force on Truth Social: “Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest.”
The US president went on to blast the Californian government, adding that masks will no longer be allowed to be worn at protests.
He said: “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!”
The dramatic escalation came after demonstrators hurled flaming projectiles, set cars ablaze, and swarmed federal vehicles in response to ICE raids targeting undocumented migrants.
The confrontations mainly took place in the predominantly Latino suburb of Paramount.
The area, which is over 80 per cent Hispanic, has become a flashpoint for opposition to the raids.
Tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and “less lethal” munitions were used to disperse crowds, particularly outside a Home Depot in Paramount, where agents had established a staging area.
According to Homeland Security officials, 118 undocumented individuals have been arrested in Los Angeles this week, including 44 on Friday.
Federal authorities claim the arrests include gang members and individuals considered national security risks.
A White House press release described the demonstrations as violent and accused California officials of failing to maintain order.
“These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States,” the statement read.
“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.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom blasted the move, accusing the federal government of inflaming tensions.
He warned on social media: “This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.”
But Trump fired back on Truth Social, writing: “If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs… then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
Newsom and Trump reportedly spoke for 40 minutes by phone on Saturday, though details of their conversation have not been disclosed.
That same evening, Trump attended the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 316 event in Newark, New Jersey.
Under the federal law, the President can deploy the National Guard for missions including the suppression of rebellion.
Critics argue that such actions, particularly in local jurisdictions, risk escalating tensions rather than calming them.
Mayor Karen Bass also denounced the raids, saying: “These tactics sow terror in our communities.”
Her remarks were sharply rebuked by ICE and DHS officials.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said: “Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.”
The Department of Homeland Security accused some Democratic officials of inciting violence against agents, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stating: “This violence against ICE must end.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that “active duty Marines” are also on “high alert”, ready to mobilize from Camp Pendleton if the violence continues.
Threatening to send in the Marines, Hegseth wrote on X: “The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil… and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK.”
By Saturday night, the Los Angeles Police Department said that most demonstrations had remained peaceful.
“We commend all those who exercised their First Amendment rights responsibly,” the LAPD said in a statement.
The department added that it remained “fully prepared” to respond to any civil unrest.
Despite some calm returning to Paramount, federal law enforcement officers continued to maintain a heavy presence in the area.
Flash bangs and tear gas were still being deployed periodically outside the Home Depot site, and witnesses reported migrants sheltering inside nearby businesses, afraid to leave.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino addressed protesters on X, saying: “You bring chaos, and we’ll bring handcuffs. Law and order will prevail.”
He confirmed that “multiple arrests” had been made for “obstructing operations.”
Speaking from Los Angeles, immigration chief Homan stressed that ICE operations would continue.
He said: “We’re bringing in more resources as we speak.
“We’re going to continue doing our job.”
He also warned of “zero tolerance” for violence or damage to property.