Tear Gas and Arrests in Los Angeles as Trump Deploys National Guard Amid Immigration Raids
Tensions flared in Los Angeles on Sunday as police fired tear gas and made arrests near the Metropolitan Detention Center, following the arrival of 2,000 National Guard troops ordered by President Donald Trump.
The deployment, aimed at quelling protests over a wave of federal immigration raids, drew sharp criticism from California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom. Protesters clashed with police in the streets, some confronting National Guard troops stationed outside the federal facility, which has become a focal point for public anger.
The demonstration was the third straight day of unrest, with prior clashes erupting outside a Department of Homeland Security facility in the nearby city of Paramount — a largely Latino community. Federal immigration agents have reportedly detained more than 100 people in recent days during mass raids at multiple sites, including the fashion district and a Home Depot location.
Speaking briefly before boarding Marine One to Camp David, President Trump defended his decision to send in the National Guard:
“I don’t believe there’s an insurrection, but we will have troops everywhere,” he said.
He warned that other cities could face similar deployments if protests continue, vowing, “We’re not going to let this country be torn apart.”
When asked about the potential use of active-duty military personnel, Trump replied:
“The bar is what I think it is. If we see danger to our country and our citizens, we will act decisively.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump blamed protesters for “attacking our Federal Agents” and ordered his cabinet to “take all necessary action” to put an end to what he described as “Migrant riots.” He added:
“Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free.”
Saturday’s demonstrations also saw the use of stun grenades and pepper balls by federal agents, while some protesters responded with rocks and debris. Fires were reported in several areas of downtown.
Reynolds noted that the National Guard is typically deployed at the request of a state’s governor. However, Trump bypassed California Governor Gavin Newsom by invoking a federal provision allowing him to nationalize the Guard in cases of insurrection.
Governor Newsom urged residents to remain calm and peaceful. “Don’t give Donald Trump what he wants,” he posted on X. “Speak up. Stay calm. Do not use violence and respect law enforcement.”
Newsom condemned Trump’s deployment as “inflammatory” and accused the administration of using the situation to provoke unrest and shift attention from its hardline immigration agenda.
“They want a spectacle. Don’t give them one,” he warned.
With input from Al Jazeera
