Authorities in downtown Los Angeles faced off with hundreds of protesters as tensions escalated into a third day of demonstrations. President Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the city, with approximately 300 already in place as of Sunday afternoon.
Protests erupted in response to immigration raids conducted by the Trump administration, prompting the President to bypass California Governor Gavin Newsom's authority. Governor Newsom condemned the deployment as "purposefully inflammatory," while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described it as a "chaotic escalation," noting that the National Guard's presence was unnecessary given the situation's management by local law enforcement.
On Saturday, Trump announced the troop deployment, marking a rare use of federal powers to override state authority. The protests have been largely peaceful, with a scheduled demonstration planned for 2 p.m. local time at City Hall. However, clashes have occurred, with law enforcement utilizing rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades against protesters.
Experts noted that this deployment is unprecedented since 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to Alabama to protect civil rights demonstrators. The National Guard troops, part of the Army’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, have been tasked with defending federal property and personnel. Their rules of engagement regarding interaction with protesters remain unclear.
The protests have drawn attention from various officials, with many California leaders criticizing the federal response. The ACLU labeled the deployment as an abuse of power, emphasizing the importance of constitutional limits on military engagement with civilians.
In the wake of the protests, the Department of Homeland Security reported hundreds of arrests, claiming many involved individuals with criminal backgrounds. The ongoing demonstrations have highlighted growing tensions between immigrant communities and federal enforcement actions, with some protesters expressing concerns over potential violence and the erosion of civil liberties.
As the situation continues to develop, local leaders are urging peaceful protests while expressing their discontent with the federal government's approach to the immigration issue.