2 days ago
National Guard providing security for ICE officers, US says
The national guard troops were providing security for federal law enforcement. PHOTO: AFP
National Guard providing security for ICE officers, US says
– National Guard troops are now protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in and around Los Angeles, marking an expansion of their duties since being deployed by US President Donald Trump this week.
Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said on June 10 that the Guard was providing security for federal law enforcement as they continue operations 'to remove the worst of the worst of Los Angeles'.
Some of the soldiers had been guarding federal buildings before this.
Ms McLaughlin added that 'if any rioters attack ICE law enforcement officers, military personnel have the authority to temporarily detain them until law enforcement makes the arrest'.
'The violence against ICE law enforcement must end,' she said, adding that the soldiers were also helping to safeguard federal property.
ICE posted two photographs on social media platform X showing troops providing protection as officers made immigration-related arrests.
Soldiers in camouflage and holding automatic weapons stood nearby while two suspects were being handcuffed.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said earlier in the day that she had 'no idea' what they were doing aside from guarding several federal buildings.
Los Angeles has faced five days of protests touched off by a wave of immigration raids, with crowds clashing at times with law enforcement and nearly 380 people arrested since the weekend.
Mr Trump has authorised the deployment of up to 4,000 National Guard troops to the city and 700 Marines – a move made over the objections of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Ms Bass, both Democrats.
The mayor and governor argue that the show of force is unnecessary and risks inflaming tensions.
Ms Bass has said the local authorities have the situation under control, and that bringing in more troops could escalate the unrest rather than contain it. BLOOMBERG
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