Trump deploys 2,000 National Guard members after LA immigration protests

ICE vowed to continue making arrests and enforce immigration laws.

The Trump administration is calling in the California National Guard in response to protests in Los Angeles over immigration operations that have resulted in some clashes between demonstrators and authorities.

President Donald Trump signed a memorandum "deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness" in California as demonstrations opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations continue in the state, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Saturday.

Earlier, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the federal government was moving to "take over the California National Guard," calling the move "purposefully inflammatory" and saying it will "only escalate tensions."

A car burns in flames following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the Los Angeles County city of Paramount, Calif., June 7, 2025.

Daniel Cole/Reuters

Newsom said local California authorities don't need the help.

"LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice," he said in a post on X. "We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need."

"In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens," Leavitt said. "That is why President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester," Leavitt said.

PHOTO: Protesters and federal agents clash after ICE raid in Paramount, USA - 07 Jun 2025

Federal agents fire flash-bang smoke grenades at protestors near a Home Depot after a raid was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement i...Show more

Allison Dinner/EPA-EFE/Shuttersterstock

Earlier Saturday evening, Trump said in a social media post that if California lawmakers can't "do their jobs" then the federal government will "step in and solve the problem," but he did not provide specific details.

The protests Saturday were centered in the city of Paramount, following reports of an immigration raid occurring at that location. However, Paramount Mayor Peggy Lemons later said during a news conference that agents were staging, not conducting a raid.

A man waves a Mexican flag as smoke rises from a burning car during a standoff by protesters and law enforcement, following multiple detentions by ICE in the...Show more

Barbara Davidson/Reuters

Those protests followed demonstrations Friday that came in the wake of immigration enforcement operations across the city. Federal agents raided multiple workplaces in the fashion district and other areas, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, leading to hundreds of people, including children, being detained by ICE agents at the Edward Roybal Federal Building in downtown LA, the ACLU said.

Large crowds then gathered near the federal building Friday afternoon and evening, leading to some clashes with authorities.

Border Patrol personnel deploy tear gas during a demonstration over the dozens detained in an operation by federal immigration authorities a day earlie...Show more

Eric Thayer/AP

Video of the protests on Saturday showed Border Patrol agents posted up with many protesters across the street, yelling at them. Footage appears to show some smoke projectiles being deployed as well.

In a statement on social media, United States Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks said several arrests had been made Saturday for alleged assaults on federal agents.

Police detains a protester blocking the garage entrance of the Los Angeles Federal Building following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs En...Show more

Daniel Cole/Reuters

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said authorities were seeking to identify people who threw rocks at law enforcement vehicles.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said federal law enforcement operations would proceed as planned in Los Angeles County this weekend.

"I urge the public to refrain from interfering with these lawful actions. Anyone who obstructs federal agents will face arrest and prosecution," he said.

A police officer uses stun grenades as they approach the protesters gathered around the Los Angeles Federal Building following multiple detentions by I...Show more

Daniel Cole/Reuters

The LA County Sheriff's Department said its personnel responded to Paramount Boulevard Saturday, where a large crowd was blocking the street.

"As deputies arrived, it appeared that federal law enforcement officers were in the area, and that members of the public were gathering to protest. The Sheriff's Department was not involved in any federal law enforcement operations or actions and responded solely for traffic and crowd control management," the sheriff's department said in a statement Saturday.

Smoke fills the street as protesters confront Border Patrol personnel during a demonstration in the Paramount section of Los Angeles, June 7, 2025.