Trump Deploys National Guard as Immigration Raids Spark Unrest in Los Angeles

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles as protests against immigration raids escalate into a broader standoff between federal agents and local communities.

The unrest, which began on Friday night after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested at least 44 people across the city, entered its second day on Saturday. Protesters clashed with federal agents in southeast Los Angeles, waving Mexican flags and chanting, “ICE out of L.A.!”

Tensions intensified in the Paramount neighbourhood, where dozens of federal officers in military-style gear confronted demonstrators on streets littered with overturned shopping carts. Video footage reviewed by Reuters showed gas canisters exploding and security forces advancing through the smoke.

By nightfall, another smaller protest had gathered downtown, and police confirmed that multiple people were detained for failing to disperse after repeated warnings. Authorities have not released figures on arrests.

National Guard Mobilization

Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Saturday, calling the protests a response to “lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.” He accused California officials of failing to control the situation, posting on Truth Social:

“If Gavin Newsom and 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!!!”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth added that active-duty Marines at nearby Camp Pendleton were on “high alert” and ready to deploy if the situation escalates. While the White House has not invoked the 1807 Insurrection Act — which would allow military force to restore order — two officials told Reuters that troops could be mobilized within 24 hours if needed.

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move, calling it “purposefully inflammatory.”

“They want a spectacle,” Newsom posted on X. “Don’t give them one. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully.”

He later slammed Defense Secretary Hegseth’s remarks as “deranged,” accusing the federal government of threatening to turn military force on its own citizens.

A Political Flashpoint

Saturday’s scenes mark a flashpoint in Trump’s second-term immigration crackdown, which includes daily arrest targets for ICE agents and a pledge to deport record numbers of undocumented people.

The White House has directed ICE to detain at least 3,000 migrants per day. Civil society groups say the raids often ensnare legal residents and violate basic rights.

“This is organized state terror,” said Ron Gochez, a community activist and protester. “They think they can snatch people off the streets, but they’ll meet resistance every time.”

The Department of Homeland Security claimed in a statement that roughly 1,000 people participated in Friday’s protests. Reuters could not independently verify the number, and immigrant rights advocates say transparency has been lacking.

Angelica Salas, head of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), said lawyers were being denied access to detainees. “It’s very worrying,” she told Reuters.

According to Salas, ICE raids occurred near Home Depot stores where day labourers often gather, as well as at a garment factory and a warehouse. Many detained have not yet had access to legal counsel, she said.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a strongly worded statement condemning the raids:

“These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. We will not stand for this.”

A Nation Divided

The protests underscore a deepening rift between Trump’s federal immigration agenda and the values of many local governments, especially in Democratic strongholds like Los Angeles, where a significant portion of the population is Hispanic or foreign-born.

Vice President JD Vance went so far as to characterize the protests as an “insurrection,” accusing demonstrators of carrying foreign flags while undermining U.S. law enforcement.

Stephen Miller, a senior Trump aide and long-time proponent of strict immigration controls, also described the demonstrations as a “violent insurrection.”

The administration’s language has fueled fears of further escalation — and potential military involvement — reminiscent of the 1992 Los Angeles riots when the Insurrection Act was last used at the request of California’s governor.

For many, the question now is not only how far the White House will go, but how long communities can endure under a federal campaign that many see as punitive, chaotic, and politically motivated.