Severe Clashes in Los Angeles Over Mass Immigrant Arrests: National Guard Deployed

Chaos erupted in Los Angeles as severe clashes occurred during the operation of the federal immigration service (ICE), which has been sweeping through the U.S. for weeks to locate and arrest undocumented immigrants, following an initiative by President Donald Trump. The American president ordered the deployment of 2,000 members of the National Guard to Los Angeles after protests against the arrests escalated, with White House representative Carolyn Levin harshly criticizing the ‘inefficient’ authorities in California. Democratic Governor of California Gavin Newsom described the decision as ‘deliberately inflammatory.’ Mocking Newsom’s name by calling him ‘Newscom’ (Newscum = free translation: new trash/scum), President Trump posted on Truth Social: ‘If Governor Gavin Newscum of California and Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass can’t do their jobs – and everyone knows they can’t – then the federal government will intervene and solve the problem of riots and looters as it should be solved.’ Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Pentagon is ready to deploy marines if violence continues in Los Angeles. More than 40 arrests were made when ICE agents gathered in the Paramount suburb of Los Angeles, home to many Spanish-speaking community members near a Home Depot store where undocumented workers often seek temporary work. Protesters threw objects at police and attempted to block a bus from leaving the area. Police used tear gas and flashbang grenades to disperse the crowd. Several protesters burned an American flag, and over 40 people were arrested Saturday for obstructing ICE operations. Similar incidents also occurred Friday in Los Angeles, where protesters threw eggs at ICE vehicles after agents arrested undocumented immigrants. Trump’s border czar Tom Homan announced National Guard forces would be deployed in Los Angeles Saturday night. Since returning to the White House in January, President Trump has intensified efforts to deport as many undocumented immigrants as possible from the U.S.