President Donald Trump on Saturday deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to escalating riots following an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at a Home Depot in Los Angeles County.
The deployment comes amidst strong condemnation from the White House and the Department of Homeland Security regarding the violence targeting federal law enforcement.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a forceful statement, directly linking the unrest to national security concerns and warning of further federal intervention if the violence persists.
READ: National Guard Deploys To Los Angeles As White House Vows Crackdown On Anti-ICE Violence
“The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil; a dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK,” said Hegseth.
He emphasized the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance policy” for such actions. “Under President Trump, violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated. It’s COMMON SENSE.”
Hegseth confirmed the immediate mobilization of the National Guard to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles. He further warned that if the violence continues, “active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert.”
The White House echoed Hegseth’s sentiments, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that “violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations… These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States.” Leavitt criticized California’s “feckless Democrat leaders” for abdicating their responsibility, asserting that “The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence… These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice.”
READ: ICE Director Demands Democrats “Stop Putting My People In Danger” Amid Doxxing Threats
The Department of Homeland Security also weighed in, with Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin condemning the “violent targeting of law enforcement in Los Angeles by lawless rioters.” McLaughlin directly criticized Democratic politicians, including Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles and Governor Gavin Newsom, for “contributing to the surge in assaults of our ICE officers through their repeated vilification and demonization of ICE.” She called for the violence to end, stating, “This violence against ICE must end.”
President Trump had earlier warned Governor Newsom on Truth Social, stating, “If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs… then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, however, had previously criticized ICE operations, stating on X, “As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants… I am deeply angered by what has taken place. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city.”
READ: “Zero Tolerance”: Border Czar Tom Homan Fires Back As Anti-ICE Unrest Grips Nation
Governor Gavin Newsom decried the National Guard deployment, posting on X that it is “purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.”
He asserted that “LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice” and that the deployment is “the wrong mission and will erode public trust.”
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