Thousands of National Guard troops were sent into Los Angeles after parts of the city erupted in violent protests targeting federal law enforcement personnel carrying out immigration raids.
According to Breitbart, President Donald Trump authorized federal troop deployment after more than 24 hours of violent, pro-migration demonstrations in Los Angeles that included attacks on federal officers, buildings, and vehicles involved in immigration-related arrests.
The demonstrations began in response to federal operations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who were in the city to detain individuals involved in a range of serious crimes. According to federal officials, the list of suspects included those accused of gang activity, drug offenses, domestic violence, robbery, and smuggling.
As the raids began, over 1,000 protesters gathered and eventually surrounded a federal building, overwhelming the small number of federal agents stationed there. The actions quickly escalated into destruction of property, injuries, and assaults on law enforcement agents. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons described the event, stating that his officers were outnumbered during the attacks. “Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered,” he said, noting that the protest crowd severely hindered their enforcement operations.
Violent Attacks Overwhelm Law Enforcement's Response
Authorities said that the Los Angeles Police Department received multiple emergency calls during the violence but did not arrive for more than two hours. In the meantime, federal officials were left to defend themselves and their vehicles and buildings against what officials described as coordinated anti-enforcement rioters.
Some demonstrators reportedly moved between offices and worksite locations targeted by immigration agents, specifically interfering with ICE efforts to arrest non-citizens accused of felony crimes. Officials claimed the protests were not spontaneous, and instead, appeared to be supported by broader networks that seek to undermine immigration law enforcement. Analysts close to the Trump administration attribute the scale and coordination of the protests to elite political and advocacy groups promoting open-border policies. Officials alleged that by encouraging this unrest, these groups hoped to create an image of chaos around federal immigration activities.
Trump Issues Public Warning Before Deploying Troops
On Saturday at 7 p.m., President Trump issued a stark warning to California’s leadership. In a statement, he warned Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom that federal action would be taken unless local governments regained control of the streets.
“If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem,” he said. The president concluded by emphasizing federal intervention as the only solution to the ongoing conflict. Within hours of his statement, 2,000 National Guard members were federally deployed into key parts of Los Angeles. Their primary role was to restore calm and support officers whose operations had been impeded by the demonstrations.
Justice Department Insists on Arrests and Prosecutions
Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed the president’s position, stating that those who attack law enforcement officers will be held accountable. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a judge, a member of Congress, or a protester in Los Angeles,” she said. Bondi also stated that any obstruction or assault against agents involved in lawful duties would result in prosecution by the Justice Department. Administration officials say the goal is to reinforce law enforcement morale in chaotic urban areas resistant to federal authority.
Department of Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem also criticized Mayor Bass, who publicly denounced the ICE arrests. “We will not stand for this,” Noem responded, signaling the administration’s intent to maintain enforcement efforts despite political pushback.
Federal Officials Emphasize the Public Safety Mission
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michal Banks warned that any aggression targeting border and immigration officers would lead to federal arrests and legal consequences. “ANY attack on our agents or officers will not be tolerated,” he stated. “You will be arrested and federally prosecuted.” Tom Homan, who serves as the administration’s “Border Czar,” supported the operation in Los Angeles as necessary for public safety. “We’re making Los Angeles safer,” Homan said. “This is about enforcing the law, and again, we’re not going to apologize for it.”
Top aide Stephen Miller described the riots as an attempt to defy U.S. sovereignty and laws. He labeled the unrest “an insurrection” against federal authority, emphasizing that the protests extended beyond legal demonstrations and interfered with the work of law enforcement.
Calmis is Being Restored Amid Federal Enforcement
As of Sunday evening, federal officials indicated that the situation in Los Angeles was stabilizing due in part to the National Guard’s presence. Officials said establishing control and de-escalating violence remained their priorities as ongoing investigations continue into individuals responsible for property damage and assaults on officers.
There were no immediate reports of fatalities linked to the unrest, though multiple injuries to law enforcement agents were confirmed. Authorities stressed that arrests would continue as the Department of Justice reviews evidence to identify key agitators from the protests. The White House and DHS said they would continue to monitor Los Angeles closely and work with federal prosecutors to bring charges where necessary. For now, federal operations aimed at detaining criminal suspects will continue in the city, under increased security.
