By Africa Live News Staff
U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, bypassing California Governor Gavin Newsom, as tensions surge over a series of immigration enforcement operations that have triggered mass protests and violent clashes in Latino neighborhoods.
The dramatic federal intervention comes after two consecutive days of unrest in and around the city, where federal immigration agents have conducted widespread raids. The protests—fueled by anger over the arrests of over 100 undocumented immigrants—have turned chaotic, with demonstrators clashing with law enforcement officers wielding tear gas and non-lethal weapons.
Violent Clashes in Latino Communities
On Saturday, the heavily Latino suburb of Paramount, located south of Los Angeles, was the epicenter of confrontation. Near a Home Depot and close to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) office, federal agents in riot gear confronted hundreds of protesters. The situation escalated when authorities deployed tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and pepper balls in an attempt to disperse the crowds. In response, some demonstrators hurled rocks, bottles, and even chunks of concrete at Border Patrol vehicles.
The air was thick with smoke as small fires smoldered in trash piles set alight by protestors. The unrest soon spilled over into nearby Compton, where a vehicle was set ablaze and additional scuffles with police were reported.
“It was like a war zone,” said Maria Reyes, a Paramount resident who witnessed the scene. “I saw people choking on gas, kids running and screaming. We don’t deserve this.”
Federal Action Sparks State Opposition
Despite fierce opposition from California’s Democratic leadership, the Trump administration announced the deployment of the National Guard to “restore order and end lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.”
The troops are being deployed under Title 10 authority, which places them directly under federal command rather than the control of the state governor. According to Governor Newsom’s office, this unusual move overrides the traditional state-first chain of command during National Guard activations.
Governor Newsom reacted strongly, calling Trump’s decision “purposefully inflammatory” and warning it would only “escalate tensions.”
Posting on the social platform X (formerly Twitter), Newsom said: “We do not have an unmet need for military presence. Local and state law enforcement are fully capable of maintaining public safety. The federal government is staging a spectacle.”
Defense Secretary Warns of Military Escalation
In a further escalation, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that active-duty military forces could be next. “If violence continues, active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton will be mobilized. They are on high alert,” Hegseth posted on X.
That possibility has raised alarm among civil rights groups and political leaders, who fear a militarized crackdown on American soil. So far, the White House has not invoked the Insurrection Act—an emergency law that would allow the President to deploy active military forces domestically. That step has only been used sparingly in U.S. history and was not employed by Trump during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.
Arrests Mount as ICE Operations Continue
Protests began Friday after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 44 undocumented immigrants in coordinated raids across Los Angeles, including in the downtown fashion district and near a Home Depot. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the total number of arrests over the past week has now reached 118, including individuals with alleged links to criminal organizations.
Among those detained was David Huerta, the regional president of the powerful Service Employees International Union (SEIU), who was arrested while participating in a peaceful protest. The Department of Justice confirmed Huerta is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
His arrest has sparked outrage among labor leaders and political figures. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a strong rebuke, calling for Huerta’s immediate release and warning of a “disturbing pattern of arresting and detaining American citizens for exercising their right to free speech.”
“This administration is criminalizing dissent,” Schumer said. “We are witnessing a dangerous erosion of civil liberties.”
Protests Continue Across Los Angeles
As night fell Saturday, hundreds of protesters regrouped outside a doughnut shop in Paramount, where officers erected barricades and barbed wire. Police declared an unlawful assembly and began making arrests after demonstrators refused to disperse.
Downtown Los Angeles also saw renewed demonstrations, particularly near federal detention facilities. Local police in riot gear were deployed to contain the crowds, and several skirmishes broke out as the evening wore on.
“This is not just about immigration anymore,” said Carla Mendez, a protester outside the Metropolitan Detention Center. “This is about the right to be heard, to protest without being brutalized. We are standing up for our community.”
Historical Context: Trump and the National Guard
This isn’t the first time Trump has used National Guard troops during times of domestic unrest. In 2020, following the police killing of George Floyd, Trump requested governors send troops to Washington, D.C. While several did comply, then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper publicly opposed invoking the Insurrection Act, stating it should only be used in “the most urgent and dire of situations.”
Trump’s latest move—this time targeting California’s Democratic stronghold—appears to mirror his hardline approach from his first term.
Political analysts say the deployment is not just about border security or protests but also part of Trump’s broader campaign strategy.
“This is red meat for his base,” said Professor Alan Rosenfeld, a political science expert at UCLA. “He’s framing himself as the law-and-order candidate, standing against Democratic governors and what he describes as urban chaos.”
The Road Ahead
As Los Angeles braces for further unrest, civic leaders are calling for de-escalation and calm. Governor Newsom has instructed the California Highway Patrol to deploy more officers across volatile areas and urged residents not to give federal authorities the “violent images” they seek.
“Peaceful protest is protected,” Newsom said. “Let’s not play into the hands of those who want division.”
Meanwhile, many residents remain on edge, fearing that the next confrontation may lead to more arrests—or worse.
“The fear is real,” said Angela Cruz, a school teacher in Compton. “The community is tense. We just want this to end peacefully.”
