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 Donald 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 his 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, there was a moment of tension outside a federal detention center in downtown LA when the National Guard fired a tear gas and a non-lethal round at protesters.
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 took him to social media claiming that “violent, rebel mobs were swarming and attacking.”
“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 the immigration enforcement action will last, but Trump told reporters on Sunday, “We’re going to have troops everywhere. We won’t let our country do this.”
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.”
While most demonstrators gather peacefully, some people threw things at law enforcement officials, keeping trash and vehicles on fire, and tainting federal property with graffiti.
Last week’s immigration customs enforcement operation in Los Angeles has arrested 118 people, including those convicted of drug trafficking, assault, child abuse, domestic violence and robbery, according to the agency.
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 the streets of Los Angeles.”
Representative Maxine Waters will speak to the media at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles on Sunday.
(Jason Armand/Los Angeles Times)
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 arrived at the center to inquire about service employees of International Union California, David Fuerta, of service employees who were injured and detained while documenting an immigration enforcement attack 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 security guards are stationed, asking if he really wants to be truly loyal to the president, who has been convicted of 34 felony. He said he felt compelled to shout out the facts about Trump from the guards because he feared that the young man was “instilled in his 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.
People march towards the Metropolitan Detention Center on Sunday during an immigrant march in downtown Los Angeles.
(Luke Johnson/Los Angeles Times)
“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 called to the president without a request from the governor was when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to Alabama 60 years ago 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.
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 Seema Mehta contributed to this report
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