Trump defends sending National Guard to LA; protesters, federal authorities clash: Live updates

USA Today

4 days ago

Trump defends sending National Guard to LA; protesters, federal authorities clash: Live updates
Crowds converged on City Hall in Los Angeles on Sunday after National Guard troops poured into the city to quell any protests opposing President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 Guard members over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said Trump wanted to create a "spectacle." U.S. Northern Command said about 300 soldiers were on the ground at three locations in the greater Los Angeles area to provide "safety and protection of federal property and personnel."
The Los Angeles Police Department said its officers had been deployed to the protest area.
"Everyone has the right to peacefully assemble and voice their opinions," LAPD said in a social media post. "However, vandalizing property and attempting to seriously injure officers, whether Federal or LAPD, is not peaceful."
The protests are not widespread, and most of the city was quiet on Sunday. But about a dozen Guard members were seen lining up at a federal building in downtown Los Angeles, where detainees from immigration raids conducted Friday were taken. The complex is near City Hall, where Sunday's protest was taking place.
Video showed Guard members, along with Department of Homeland Security personnel, pushing back a group of demonstrators that gathered outside the federal building. The confrontation continued on the street outside the facility.
The protesters had earlier chanted "ICE out of LA," at Guard members, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which carried out immigration raids in the city beginning on Friday. The actions sparked demonstrations that continued for a third day on Sunday.
Why did Trump deploy the Guard? What to know about the situation in LA
Law enforcement and hundreds of protesters were in a standoff in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, according to The Los Angeles Times. The confrontation began at around 3:30 p.m. local time as officers were seen pushing a crowd of people away from the Metropolitan Detention Center, the Times reported.
Videos shared on social media and footage from local television stations showed officers in riot gear, and the sound of flash-bangs could be heard in the background. The Times reported that officers could be seen pushing people with batons, and some protesters were observed climbing a fence to get away from the officers.
Many protesters were waving Mexican flags or hybrid Mexican American flags as they chanted "F--- ICE, leave LA," according to the Times. Protestors were also seen throwing water bottles and other objects at officers and law enforcement vehicles.
A massive crowd of protesters had moved onto the 101 Freeway and stopped traffic in both directions, KABC-TV and Spectrum News 1 reported. KABC-TV said protesters created a makeshift barrier on the southbound side of the freeway and were immediately confronted by officers in riot gear.
Around 4 p.m., LAPD said on social media that two people riding motorcycles "attempted to breach a skirmish line at Alameda and Temple" streets, hitting and injuring two police officers. Authorities said the officers were being treated at the scene by medical personnel.
Two people were detained after the incident, police said.
In an emailed letter released on Sunday afternoon, Newsom formally asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to rescind Trump's order to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles.
"We didn't have a problem until Trump got involved," Newsom said in a social media post. "This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they're actually needed."
The letter stated that law enforcement resources in Los Angeles County were "sufficient to maintain order," adding that Guard members were deployed without appropriate training or orders, which "risks seriously escalating the situation."
"In dynamic and fluid situations such as the one in Los Angeles, State and local authorities are the most appropriate ones to evaluate the need for resources to safeguard life and property," according to the letter.
On Sunday afternoon, LAPD said on X that it has placed officers across the city on a "tactical alert." The tactical alert means that all officers can now be redistributed between divisions and must remain on shift until they are relieved by their unit commanders.
The police department later declared the protest outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles an "unlawful assembly," and authorized the 'use of less lethal munitions." The department also issued a dispersal order and said arrests were being made.
According to the department, officers reported that people in the crowd were throwing concrete, bottles, and other objects.
"The use of less lethal munitions has been authorized by the Incident Commander," the department said in a separate social media post. "Persons throwing items at officers will be detained and arrested."
Anti-ICE protests in downtown LA: The history of National Guard deployments in Los Angeles: What to know
Newsom on Sunday accused Trump's order as "the acts of a dictator" for deploying National Guard troops to quell violent protests in Los Angeles.
Newsom posted a video of Trump saying he would charge state and local officials federally if they interfere with immigration enforcement, which sparked the protests in Los Angeles. Newsom accused Trump of "inciting and provoking violence" as well as "creating mass chaos" and "militarizing cities."
"These are the acts of a dictator, not a President," Newsom added.
Trump told reporters Sunday on his way to Camp David for a meeting with military leaders that he doesn't think the protests in Los Angeles qualify as an insurrection yet, but that he would be keeping a close eye on the situation.
'No,' he said when asked if an insurrection was happening. 'But you've got violent people, and we're not going to let them get away with it.'
Trump said he was sending the National Guard to restore order. 'We're going to have troops everywhere,' Trump said. 'We're not going to let this happen to our country.'
He said the bar for sending in Marines would be 'what I think it is.'
'If we see danger to our country and to our citizens, we will be very, very strong in terms of law and order. It's about law and order,' Trump said. He said he would be 'watching it very closely' to see whether protests are spreading and if a larger federal response is needed.
'We're going to be watching it very closely,' Trump said. 'You know they spit, that's their new thing. They spit, and worse, you know what they throw at them, right? And when that happens, I have a little statement – they spit, we hit. And I told them, nobody's going to spit on our police officers. No body's going to spit on our military.'
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told USA TODAY on Sunday that his department will be "well prepared" should any civil unrest occur during the third day of protests across the city.
"We certainly have a heavier deployment than usual," said McDonnell, declining to give a specific number.
The chief said officers will be deployed outside a federal court building, the Metropolitan Detention Center, City Hall, and some parks where protests and demonstrations against the deportation raids are scheduled to take place.
McDonnell said the LAPD is still figuring out what role the National Guard will play during any protests as well.
"It's still to be determined," McDonnell said. "Some of them just got on the ground, and we're trying to figure out how we can make this all work for everybody. For the city, the county. and beyond. Our whole focus is on public safety."
— Terry Collins
Los Angeles police chief: 'Ready to meet whatever challenges we may face'
Trump said on social media that Los Angeles "has been invaded and occupied" by undocumented immigrants and he directed the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Justice to take action to liberate the city.
The language of his post echoes his executive order invoking the Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants accused of being members of criminal gangs he declared terrorist organizations, such as Venezuela's Tren de Aragua.
"A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals," Trump said. "Now violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations.'
Trump directed Hegseth, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Attorney General Pam Bondi 'to take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion, and put an end to these Migrant riots.'
'Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free,' Trump said.
A group of 22 Democratic governors called Trump's deployment of the National Guard 'an alarming abuse of power' and said doing so without working with Newsom was 'dangerous.'
'President Trump's move to deploy California's National Guard is an alarming abuse of power,' the governors said in a joint statement. 'Governors are the Commanders in Chief of their National Guard and the federal government activating them in their own borders without consulting or working with a state's governor is ineffective and dangerous.'
The governors also criticized the threat to send in Marines. 'Further, threatening to send the U.S. Marines into American neighborhoods undermines the mission of our service members, erodes public trust, and shows the Trump administration does not trust local law enforcement,' the governors said.
Democratic Govs. Laura Kelly of Kansas, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Bob Ferguson of Washington, Josh Green of Hawaii, Maura Healey of Massachusetts, Katie Hobbs of Arizona, Kathy Hochul of New York, Tina Kotek of Oregon, Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Dan McKee of Rhode Island, Matt Meyer of Delaware, Janet Mills of Maine, Wes Moore of Maryland, Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Jared Polis of Colorado, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Josh Stein of North Carolina, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said on social media that if protesters choose violence, they will be investigated and arrested.
"We will be investigating and pursuing all available leads for assault on a federal officer, in addition to the many arrests already made," Bongino said June 8. "And, although we'll pursue every case, we don't need to catch every single perp, we just need to catch you."
Investigations will continue even after calm is restored, he warned.
"We will not forget," Bongino said. "Even after you try to."
Trump's border czar Tom Homan said immigration enforcement will continue in Los Angeles and did not rule out arrests for California officials if they interfere with the administration's efforts.
In an interview with NBC News on June 7, Homan said, 'I'm telling you what, we're going to keep enforcing law every day in L.A. Every day in L.A., we're going to enforce immigration law. I don't care if they like it or not.'
When asked whether California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who have criticized the deployment, could be subject to arrest if they hinder operations on the ground, Homan said: 'I'll say it about anybody. You cross that line, it's a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It's a felony to impede law enforcement doing their job.'
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been a staunch supporter of Trump's border policies, including his decision to deploy the National Guard to quell disturbances in California. But as governor of South Dakota in February 2024, Noem sharply criticized then-President Joe Biden for considering federalizing the National Guard over Texas' contentious razor‑wire border operations.
The Biden White House was reportedly considering the move after the Supreme Court ruled the federal government could cut through razor wire that Texas had placed along the U.S.-Mexico border − wire that similarly obstructs CBP agents' ability to access the border and carry out their duties.
That prompted Democrats and others to call on Biden to federalize the Texas National Guard and order it to stand down. In a post on X, Noem said such a move would be a 'direct attack on states' rights." Ultimately, Biden never activated the Guard.
Amnesty International Executive Director Paul O'Brien called the Guard deployment "deeply alarming." He accused Trump of using military force to punish those who speak out for human rights and said the deployment will exacerbate the situation rather than remedy it.
'This is not about protecting communities, this is about crushing dissent and instilling fear," O'Brien said in a statement. "Armed troops do not belong in our neighborhoods. This militarization of immigration enforcement and in response to people exercising their right to freedom of expression must have no place in a country that claims to value justice and human rights."
Trump orders troops to LA as agents, protesters clash over immigration
President Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to combat violent protesters opposed to immigration enforcement.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the conservative chairperson of the powerful Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, called for calm but voiced her support for the right of protesters to express themselves.
'I want to remind @CountyofLA residents that the right to protest is a fundamental constitutional freedom and I strongly support the right of individuals to express themselves peacefully,' Barger, who represents the county's northern swaths, said in a posting on X late Saturday night. 'However, I urge all those who choose to protest to do so without resorting to violence or unlawful behavior.'
Barger said that as chair of the political body overseeing all of Los Angeles County, including the parts where the National Guard is being deployed, she would closely monitor any developments of civil unrest. Thta would include 'attacks against local, state, or federal law enforcement officers or any attempt to cause them harm," she wrote.
Sen. Bernie Sanders said he believes President Donald Trump is 'moving this country rapidly into authoritarianism" after Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to help quell immigration protests in Los Angeles.
'This guy wants all of the power. He does not believe in the Constitution. He does not believe in the rule of law,' Sanders, a Vermont independent, told CNN's Dana Bash on 'State of the Union.' "My understanding is that the governor of California, the mayor of the city of Los Angeles did not request the National Guard, but he (Trump) thinks he has a right to do anything he wants."
The protests were prompted by the Trump administration's push to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants. Demonstrators allege the administration's immigration enforcement violates civil and human rights.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that the immigrants without legal authorization to be in the country include murders and rapists.
Those arrested during the Los Angeles operation that sparked violent protests include a Vietnamese man convicted of second-degree murder, an Ecuadoran man convicted of possession of five kilograms of cocaine, and a Filipino man convicted of sexual offenses.
"These rioters in Los Angeles are fighting to keep rapists, murderers and other violent criminals loose on Los Angeles streets," Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary of the department, said in a statement. "Instead of rioting, they should be thanking ICE officers every single day who wake up and make our communities safer."
The National Guard has been deployed to Los Angeles multiple times in response to civil disorder and natural disasters. In previous years, the National Guard was sent at the request of state and local officials.
In June 2020, USA TODAY reported that Trump had considered invoking the Insurrection Act over protests in response to the murder of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a former Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck on a street corner in May 2020. Protesters clashed with police across the country, including in Los Angeles, which prompted then-Mayor Eric Garcetti to ask Newsom for members of the Guard to be sent to the city.
The last time the Insurrection Act was invoked was in 1992 by former President George H.W. Bush, when the acquittal of the Los Angeles Police Department officers who beat Rodney King sparked the Los Angeles riots. Thousands of members of the Guard, the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps were sent in response to the riots, which left more than 60 people dead and 2,300 injured, according to the Bill of Rights Institute.
In 1965, nearly 14,000 Guard troops were sent to Los Angeles amid the Watts riots at the request of the California lieutenant governor, according to Stanford University's Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute.
Sen. Chris Murphy accused Trump on Sunday of unnecessarily deploying the National Guard in California to escalate the conflict between protesters and ICE agents so he can eventually invoke the Insurrection Act and impose martial law in the United States.
Murphy, a frequent and outspoken critic of Trump, said in a video posted on X that the crisis in California 'is of Donald Trump's making.'
'Any time a protest turns violent, that's unacceptable,' said Murphy, D-Conn. 'But California has made it clear that between local and state authorities, they have the means to be able to keep the peace. They don't need Donald Trump. They don't need the National Guard.'
Murphy said Trump decided to send in the Guard over the objections of Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, 'not to solve a problem, but to create a problem, because Donald Trump has always wanted to create an excuse to impose martial law, to invoke the Insurrection Act.'
Murphy accused Trump of undergoing a comprehensive campaign since he was sworn in to try to undermine the rule of law in the United States to consolidate his own power and authority.
Originally enacted in 1792, the Insurrection Act grants the president the authority to deploy the U.S. military domestically and use it against Americans under certain conditions, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law.
Trump called California Gov. Gavin Newsom 'incompetent,' based on cost overruns for a high-speed rail program, and said either state and local authorities would quell the violence or he would.
'You have an incompetent governor,' Trump said. 'I did call him the other night, I said, look take care of this, otherwise I'm sending in the troops.'
Trump also said state and local officials could face federal charges if they stand in the way of deportations. 'If officials stand in the way of law and order, yeah, they will face federal charges,' Trump said.
"These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT BE TOLERATED," Trump said in a social media post Sunday. Trump and administration officials have attacked Newsom, Mayor Karen Bass and other Democrats for failing to quell the disturbances. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump signed a memo a day earlier deploying the Guardsmen 'to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.'
'The Trump administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs,' she said in a statement.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon was prepared to mobilize active-duty troops "if violence continues" and that Marines at nearby Camp Pendleton were "on high alert."
Free speech or not? Trump says he wants to protect free speech. Advocates say he's undermining it.
On Saturday, a large protest erupted in the city of Paramount in Los Angeles County, about 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. It came as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted enforcement operations in the area and arrested at least 44 people on alleged immigration violations.
More demonstrations followed, and some protesters assaulted ICE officers, slashed tires and defaced buildings, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which claimed it took LAPD officers two hours to respond. Police sometimes countered the unrest by firing tear gas, pepper spray and flash-bang concussion rounds toward gathering crowds.
"The violent targeting of law enforcement in Los Angeles by lawless rioters is despicable and Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom must call for it to end," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. "The men and women of ICE put their lives on the line to protect and defend the lives of American citizens."
Contributing: Reuters