California State Guard forces arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday amid growing political gaps between California and the Trump administration following scattered clashes between immigrant agents and protesters.
President Trump’s move to activate nearly 2,000 security guards marks the first time since 1965 that the president deployed the state’s National Guard without the demands of the state governor. The decision was met with harsh responsibilities from state and local officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said the deployment was “to manufacture a crisis rather than meet unmet needs.”
On Sunday afternoon, Newsom’s office sent a formal letter to the Trump administration, calling for the military to be retracted.
“National Guards do not currently have to be deployed in Los Angeles, and they do not have to do that in this illegal way, a serious violation of national sovereignty that appears to have been intentionally designed to inflam the situation over such a long term.
On Sunday afternoon, there was a moment of tension outside a federal jail in downtown LA when officers fired tear gas and protesters fired a less lethal round.
Around 4pm, a swarm of protesters flowed south of the 101 highway, blocking traffic. Protesters were countering the line of dozens of officers below the Los Angeles Street Bridge.
However, other areas that saw uncertainty over the past few days, such as the Clothing District, Paramount and Compton, looked mild.
It was unclear exactly how many troops were deployed in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon. The San Diego-based National Guard’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team said Sunday that 300 staff are on the ground to protect federal property and personnel.
Trump administration officials seized isolated incidents of violence to suggest a wider portion of LA was out of control. On Sunday, Trump allegedly claimed federal law enforcement agencies that “are swarming and attacking violent and rebel mobs.”
“Once upon a great American city, Los Angeles has been invaded and occupied by illegal aliens and criminals,” he wrote, accusing Democratic politicians of not cracking down on them previously.
Officials have not said how long immigration enforcement measures will last, but Trump told reporters on Sunday, “We’re going to have troops everywhere, and we’re not going to let this happen to our country.”
Many California officials who have been in long conflict with Trump say the president was trying to exploit the situation for his political advantage, and sow unnecessary obstacles and confusion.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the federal deployment a “chaotic escalation” and issued a reminder that “Los Angeles will always stand with everyone who calls our city home.”
Most demonstrators cast their objectives at law enforcement officials, while keeping trash and vehicles fired and tainted federal property with graffiti.
The agency said 118 arrests have occurred, including those convicted of drug trafficking, assault, child abuse, domestic violence and robbery.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesman who supports Trump’s immigration actions, and Republican politicians, have characterized the protest as a riot intended to “relax rapists, murderers and other violent criminals on Los Angeles Street.”
On Sunday morning, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) addressed about 20 National Guard soldiers posted outside the Metropolitan Detention Center on Alameda Street. She had arrived at the center to inquire about the International Union of Service Employees California, documenting an immigration enforcement raid in downtown Los Angeles on Friday.
“Who are you going to shoot?” Waters asked solder. “If you’re going to shoot me, you’d better shoot straight.”
Tear gas remains used by law enforcement during Saturday’s protest remained in the air around the building, sometimes forcing them to cough. Waters, an outspoken critic of the president, called the deployment of the National Guard an unnecessary escalation of tension and accused Trump of “trying to set an example” from the longtime sanctuary city of Los Angeles.
Leonard Tonstad, 69, of Los Angeles, rides his bike to the edge of the luggage where the military is stationed, asking if he really wants to be truly loyal to the president “convicted of 34 felony.” He said he felt compelled to shout out the facts about Trump to security guards because he feared that the young men were “indoctrinated by their own citizens.”
Tunstad believes the deployment is a significant overreaction by the Trump administration, and said the city is home to much more raucous protests handled by local police.
“This is just a show, this is just a sight,” he said.
Homeland Security officials approached one of the bigger protesters, saying they “don’t want the repetition of last night” and “we don’t want to be political.” He told protesters as long as they stuck to the sidewalk and blocked vehicle access to the loading dock.
The DHS and the California State Guard forces then pushed dozens of protesters into Alameda Street, attacked people with riot shields, fired pellets into the ground, deployed tear gas, eliminating DHS, border patrols and military vehicles’ roads into the detention center.
Jose Longoria had a hard time breathing as tear gas clouds filled Alameda Street. He pointed to the white scuff marks on his shoes and said a can of tear gas slammed him against his leg, causing him to limp slightly.
“We are not armed. We are just protesting peacefully. They are acting,” Longoria said of the executives.
Julie Solis, 50, flew back and forth along Alameda Avenue with a Mexican flag, urging the crowd to hear her voice, but kept the scene in peace. She said she believes the National Guard was deployed solely to trigger a response and make Los Angeles seem out of hand to justify further attacks from federal law enforcement.
“They want an arrest. They want to see us fail. We need to be peace. We need to be eloquent,” she said.
During George Floyd’s protest, in 2020, National Guard forces were last summoned to Los Angeles and other Southern California cities. These deployments have been approved by Newsom.
But the last time the National Guard was not requested without a request from the governor was 60 years ago when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to Alabama to protect civil rights protesters.
Antonio Villaraigoza, former chairman of the California Congress and former Ramels, said Trump’s move is “intended to incite more fear and confusion in our community.”
“Trump’s military-style massive deportation ice raid in California goes too far, torn families apart and threatens public safety,” he said in a statement. “Attacks at stores and workplaces are wrong. Separating families with raids at school, graduation or churches is wrong.”
In Paramount, a group of camouflaged National Guard forces were stationed in business parks along with armored vehicles with the Department of Homeland Security.
Jessica Juarez walked along Alondora Boulevard Sunday morning in a garbage bag full of used tear gas cans. Her voice raised as she helped a group of volunteers clean up after a clash between protesters and law enforcement the day before.
US lawyer Bill Essayli told NBC in an interview that officers suffered from a broken wrist and others were injured in a section of rocks and cement blocks thrown during Saturday’s protest. He said it was a “very violent crowd,” but officials were “unhindered.”
Gas and Flash Bang Grenade law enforcement agencies were still hanging in the air, while gas and flash bang grenades fired Saturday, burnt asphalt marked the intersection outside Home Depot, where federal authorities performed.
“We are proud of our community, the strength we have shown,” Juarez said.
Images of Paramount, wrapped in smoke and caught between police in a riot device, are unusual for the community of around 50,000 residents. In many ways, cities have become the starting point for the escalation of federal responses.
“What else do you call, what attacks on Paramount and the people who live here?” said Alejandro Maldonado, resident and union organizer. “People in the community were facing unfair immigration policies.”
For some, the battle between the residents of Los Angeles and the federal government is similar to David and Goliath. “It seems like they want to choose a fight with the little guy,” said Ardelia Aldridge, the union organizer.
Staff writer Cimameta, Rebecca Ellis And brittny mejia contributed to this report
