Washington, D.C. (WDNews) – President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to California in response to escalating protests over recent immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles.
The White House announced the move Saturday evening, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calling the situation in California “lawlessness” and blaming state leaders for failing to maintain order. “California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens,” Leavitt said in a statement.
The protests began Friday in Los Angeles after widespread immigration raids reportedly took place across the city. According to the ACLU of Southern California, federal agents detained hundreds of individuals — including children — during workplace operations in LA’s fashion district and at the Edward Roybal Federal Building.
On Saturday, protests continued in the city of Paramount, located in LA County, where residents believed another raid was taking place. Paramount Mayor Peggy Lemons later clarified that federal agents were only staging in the area, not conducting enforcement activity at the time.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the National Guard is being mobilized “immediately” to support federal law enforcement. He added that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton are also on high alert should conditions worsen.
California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized the federal action, saying the takeover of the state’s National Guard was “purposefully inflammatory” and would “only escalate tensions.” Newsom asserted that local agencies are well-equipped to handle any unrest and that “there is currently no unmet need.”
Tensions remain high across the region as federal and state leaders clash over immigration policy and law enforcement roles.
