Federal police officers put all their strength in dispersing crowds in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday as the Trump administration pushed back against protesters following a widespread immigration attack in Los Angeles.
Following another clash between protesters and federal officials outside the Home Depost Store in Paramount Saturday morning, large groups began gathering in front of a metropolitan detention center where undocumented immigrants were held.
As the crowd grew, dozens of federal police officers emerged from the building and fired pepper balls and flashed rena bullets to aggressively push protesters back.
By Saturday night, Los Angeles police had declared an illegal rally and moved protesters from the federal immigrant raids out of the streets.
Police marched in line and created a line when they clashed with protesters despite being told to leave the Alameda Street area between Aliso and Temple Streets for five minutes.
Meanwhile, the National Guard was deployed for further potential encounters with protesters.
The White House confirmed Saturday that President Donald Trump had signed an order to deploy 2,000 national security guards to deal with “lawlessness.”
“The Trump administration has a zero-tolerance policy against criminal activity and violence, especially when the violence is intended for the law enforcement officers who are trying to do their job,” White House press director Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
LOS ANGELES, CA – June 6: Law enforcement officials work to clear protesters in downtown in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, June 6, 2025. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times Getty Images)
After learning of the action, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statement saying, “The federal government is taking over the California State Guard and trying to deploy 2,000 soldiers. The movement is intentionally inflammatory and only escalates tension.
“LA officials have access to law enforcement assistance right away. We work closely with the city and county and don’t have to be met at this time. Security guards are brilliantly serving LA during their recovery.”
Mayor Karen Bass urged protesters to maintain peace in a statement, adding that “violence and destruction are unacceptable.”
“Reports of uncertainty outside of cities, including Paramount, are deeply concerned,” Bus said. “This is a difficult time for our city. As we recover from unprecedented natural disasters, many of our communities are scared following recent federal immigration enforcement actions across Los Angeles County.”
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