National Guard Arrives in Los Angeles Amid Immigration Unrest
In a move ordered by President Donald Trump, National Guard troops have begun arriving in Los Angeles as tensions escalate over protests sparked by federal immigration enforcement operations. The deployment aims to restore order following days of clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators opposing recent immigration sweeps.
Protests Intensify Following Immigration Raids
The unrest has centered around key federal locations, including the Metropolitan Detention Center downtown, known for being a flashpoint during the protests. Early Sunday morning, California National Guard members were spotted securing the area, underlining Washington's commitment to a tougher stance.
Meanwhile, cities like Paramount—primarily home to Latino communities—and nearby Compton have witnessed heated confrontations. In Paramount, federal agents' presence near a Department of Homeland Security office led to violent exchanges, with law enforcement using tear gas, pepper balls, and flash-bang grenades, while protesters retaliated by throwing rocks and cement. The scene was further intensified by fires burning in the streets.
Rising Arrests and Union Opposition
The federal crackdown has resulted in more than 100 immigrant arrests in Los Angeles over the past week, with raids spreading across neighborhoods such as the fashion district and even at a local Home Depot. The situation escalated when a prominent union leader was detained during protests, charged with obstructing law enforcement efforts.
Government Responses: Federal Showdown with California
The White House framed the National Guard deployment as a necessary step to quell what it called "lawlessness that has been allowed to fester." However, California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized the move, labeling it "purposefully inflammatory" and warning it would only inflame tensions further. He urged residents to avoid violence, cautioning against giving federal authorities the spectacle they seemingly seek.
Adding to the federal posture, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that if violence continued, active-duty Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton could be mobilized immediately, remaining on high alert.
Continued Demonstrations and Roadblocks
Protests persisted into the evening, especially around Paramount, where several hundred demonstrators gathered near local businesses like a doughnut shop. Police erected barbed wire barriers to keep crowds from advancing. Similar unrest unfolded near federal buildings downtown, including the detention center, leading local authorities to declare an unlawful assembly and proceed with arrests.
The Road Ahead
As the situation remains fluid, the deployment of National Guard troops marks an escalation in efforts to control civil unrest tied to immigration enforcement. With community tensions running high and federal, state, and local officials at odds over the approach, Los Angeles faces a challenging path toward restoring calm and addressing deep-seated divisions.
