Paramount, Site of Some L.A. County Protests, Has Many Latino Immigrants
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Trump Sparks Backlash Ordering National Guard to LA Protests
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass issued a stark warning on Saturday night that violence and destruction were unacceptable. President Donald Trump ordered the California National Guard to quell the immigration protests, moving to deploy 2,000 soldiers to the Los Angeles area. California Gov. Gavin Newsom labelled Trump’s move to involve the National Guard as “purposefully inflammatory” and something that will only “escalate tensions” The ACLU condemned the move, calling it “akin to a declaration of war on all Californians.” On Sunday morning, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, strongly criticized Trump”s move. However, Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma defended the decision, saying the President has a “right to do anything he wants” to protect the citizens of his state or the city. The Pentagon was ready to mobilize active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton, the main West Coast base of the Marine Corps, late Saturday night, stating the “They are on high alert”
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However, there has been conflict as to what the best course of action should be. In a move that has prompted division, Trump ordered the California National Guard to quell the immigration protests, moving to deploy 2,000 soldiers to the Los Angeles area. “Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest,” Trump said via Truth Social in the early hours of Sunday morning. “These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will not be tolerated. Also, from now on, masks will not be allowed to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why?” Bilal A. ‘Bill’ Essayli, the interim U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, said on Saturday night that the National Guard would arrive in L.A. within 24 hours. Mayor Bass said early Sunday morning that the National Guard had not yet been deployed in L.A. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has a long history of tension with the President, labelled Trump’s move to involve the National Guard as “purposefully inflammatory” and something that will only “escalate tensions.”
“The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles—not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle,” Newsom said in one social media post, urging Californians to “not give them one [a spectacle]” and to “speak out peacefully” rather than resorting to violence. “As the federal government conducts chaotic immigration sweeps across the country, the state is deploying additional CHP [California Highway Patrol] to maintain safety on Los Angeles highways to keep the peace. It’s not their job to assist in federal immigration enforcement,” Newsom said in another statement on X (formerly Twitter). “The federal government is sowing chaos so they can have an excuse to escalate. That is not the way any civilized country behaves.” On Sunday morning, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, strongly criticized Trump’s move.
“We have a President who is moving this country rapidly into authoritarianism,” Sanders said during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union. “My understanding is—the Governor of California, the Mayor of the city of Los Angeles, did not request the National Guard, but he thinks he has a right to do anything he wants. I would say, that to a large degree, the future of this country rests with a small number of Republicans in the House and Senate who know better.”
A firework explodes near the Los Angeles Sheriff Department officers during immigration protests on June 7, 2025, in Paramount, Calif. Apu Gomes—Getty Images
However, Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma defended Trump’s decision to bypass the California Governor and deploy the National Guard to the Los Angeles area.
“I don’t know why a Governor would want to try to protect illegal activity inside a state. And the President has made it very clear, if the Governor or the Mayor of a city isn’t willing to protect the citizens of his state or the city, then the President will,” Mullin said on State of the Union. Elsewhere, the ACLU condemned Trump’s decision, calling it “akin to a declaration of war on all Californians.” “There is no rational reason to deploy the National Guard on Angelenos, who are rightfully outraged by the federal government’s attack on our communities and justly exercising their First Amendment right to protest the violent separation of our families,” the ACLU’s statement said. “We intend to file suit and hold this administration accountable and to protect our communities from further attacks.” Further showcasing the Trump Administration’s stance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a warning on X late on Saturday night, stating the Pentagon was ready to mobilize active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton—a main West Coast base of the Marines. “They are on high alert,” Hegseth remarked.
In response, Newsom said: “The Secretary of Defense is now threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens. This is deranged behavior.”
People block off Alondra Blvd. and set a fire during protests against ICE and immigration raids in Paramount, Calif., on Friday, June 7, 2025. Myung J. Chun—Getty Images
What are the L.A. protests about? The protests began on Friday after ICE agents conducted another round of operations in and around the city. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement on Saturday that ICE operations in L.A. this week have resulted in the arrest of 118 people. Overall, the DHS said: “ICE has arrested 2,000 aliens a day this week and these violent activists won’t deter enforcement operations.”
All 15 city council members released a joint statement condemning the raids. “We condemn this in no uncertain terms: Los Angeles was built by immigrants and it thrives because of immigrants. We will not abide by fear tactics to support extreme political agendas that aim to stoke fear and spread discord in our city,” the statement read. “To every immigrant living in our city: we see you, we stand with you, and we will fight for you,” the statement continued. “Los Angeles will continue to be a place that values and dignifies every human being, no matter who they are or where they come from.” Speaking out further, Mayor Bass said: “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city… we will not stand for this.” The Coalition for Humane Immigrants Rights hosted a press conference on Friday, organized by leaders of the L.A. Rapid Response Network. “To our immigrant community: We see you, we hear you, and we will not stop fighting for you,” the organization said in an online post. “We say no deportations. No to mass detentions. Families belong together. We belong here.”
Protests in downtown Los Angeles and in the city of Paramount in Los Angeles County have garnered national attention as some protesters clashed with law enforcement—leading to multiple arrests. Speaking to the New York Times, interim U.S. attorney for the Central District of California Essayli said that over 100 people were arrested by federal law enforcement at protests on Friday, with at least 20 more arrests made during Saturday’s demonstrations.
Some initial demonstrations appear to have been organized by immigrant rights groups, while others were impromptu protests that began at the site of some of the raid operations.
Trump orders National Guard to LA after clashes
Trump orders National Guard to LA after clashes over immigration raids. California Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned the raids as “cruel” As many as 118 arrests were made in LA this week as a result of ICE operations, including 44 on Friday. The National Guard is usually called by a state’s governor, but Trump has used a provision that allows him to take control himself. The full extent of the damage is currently unknown, and more protests are expected in the LA area on Sunday. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said that two deputies had suffered minor injuries. Several individuals were detained with at least one arrested, it added.
Watch: Clashes continue in LA over immigration raids
As many as 118 arrests were made in LA this week as a result of ICE operations, including 44 on Friday. California Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned the raids as “cruel”.
Tear gas was used to disperse crowds as residents of the predominantly Latino Paramount district clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents earlier in the day.
Trump said the federal government would “step in and solve the problem”, after the Californian city saw a second day of clashes on Saturday between protesters and federal agents.
US President Donald Trump has ordered 2,000 National Guardsmen to Los Angeles to deal with unrest over raids on undocumented migrants.
Trump thanked the National Guard for a “job well done” in Los Angeles late on Saturday night. Despite this, the troops did not appear to have arrived in the city.
Early on Sunday the New York Times website quoted a federal official as saying that the force would arrive within 24 hours.
Trump criticised the city’s Democratic governor and mayor in a post on his Truth Social platform, calling them “incompetent”. He also said protesters would no longer be allowed to wear masks.
Newsom said the federal government’s takeover of the National Guard was “purposefully inflammatory” and would “only escalate tensions”.
The National Guard is usually called by a state’s governor, but Trump has used a provision that allows him to take control himself, Newsom’s office told the AP news agency.
Trump had earlier hit out at the governor on social media, saying that if he and LA Mayor Karen Bass could not do their jobs, “then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth later threatened to mobilise active-duty marines if violence continued, saying troops at nearby Camp Pendleton were on “high alert”. Newsom described this threat as “deranged behaviour”.
The Paramount district had calmed considerably late on Saturday evening, but clashes between protesters and law enforcement were still happening.
Outside the Home Depot hardware store where the protests first erupted, the air was thick with tear gas and smoke.
LA county sheriffs fired flash bangs and tear gas every few minutes to try to clear protesters away.
Neighbours and protesters said migrants were locked inside local businesses afraid to come out. Paramount’s population is more than 80% Hispanic.
In a statement on Sunday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) said that two deputies had suffered minor injuries. Several individuals were detained with at least one arrested, it added.
A fire at a local mall was quickly extinguished, the LASD said, while fireworks and bottles were thrown and at least one car was burnt. The full extent of the damage is currently unknown.
More protests are expected in the LA area on Sunday.
Los Angeles protests live: First troops arrive in LA after Trump signs order to send 2,000 National Guardsmen
Democrats clash with Trump over immigration raids and unrest in LA. California Governor Gavin Newsom has called Trump’s order for the National Guard to be deployed in the Los Angeles area “purposefully inflammatory” He said law enforcement had no unmet need and accused the Trump administration of seeking a “spectacle”
Image source, Reuters
Trump has strongly criticised California and LA’s Democratic officials amid unrest in parts of the area in recent days.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has called Trump’s order for the National Guard to be deployed in the Los Angeles area “purposefully inflammatory”.
In a post on social media, he said law enforcement had no unmet need and accused the Trump administration of seeking a “spectacle”.
He also criticised the immigration raids, accusing the Trump administration of “sowing chaos so they can have an excuse to escalate”.
He shared a message written by his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, which said: “Weaponizing protest to justify federal crackdowns is a dangerous precedent.”
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs described the move as “an unnecessary escalation” as she called on the president to reconsider.
“No one wants their community to become militarized — it raises the potential for people to get hurt and erodes public trust. President Trump, don’t do this,” she wrote on X.
And Sen Alex Padilla said: “Using the National Guard this way is a completely inappropriate and misguided mission. The Trump Administration is just sowing more chaos and division in our communities.”
Trump deploys National Guard as Los Angeles protests against immigration agents continue
President Donald Trump’s administration says it will deploy 2,000 National Guard troops. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the Pentagon was prepared to mobilize active-duty troops “if violence continues” Border czar says National Guard to deploy on Saturday evening. Vice President JD Vance calls protesters ‘insurrectionists’ Two US officials say Trump has not invoked Insurrection Act.. At least 44 migrants arrested Friday on immigration violations in L.A. and elsewhere in the U.S. The protests pit Democratic-run Los Angeles, where census data suggests a significant portion of the population is Hispanic and foreign-born, against Trump’s Republican White House, which has made cracking down on immigration a hallmark of his second term. The first round of protests kicked off on Friday night after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted enforcement operations in the city and arrested at least 44 people on Friday.. The last time it was invoked was during the 1992 Los Angeles riots at the request of the California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Vance calls protesters ‘insurrectionists’
Two US officials say Trump has not invoked Insurrection Act
At least 44 migrants arrested Friday on immigration violations
LOS ANGELES, June 7 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump’s administration said it would deploy 2,000 National Guard troops on Saturday as federal agents in Los Angeles faced off against a few hundred demonstrators during a second day of protests following immigration raids.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the Pentagon was prepared to mobilize active-duty troops “if violence continues” in Los Angeles, saying the Marines at nearby Camp Pendleton were “on high alert.”
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Federal security agents on Saturday confronted protesters in the Paramount area in southeast Los Angeles, where some demonstrators displayed Mexican flags. A second protest in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night attracted some 60 people, who chanted slogans including “ICE out of L.A.!”
Trump signed a presidential memorandum to deploy the National Guard troops to “address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,” the White House said in a statement. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, told Fox News that the National Guard would be deployed in Los Angeles on Saturday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the decision “purposefully inflammatory.” He posted on X that Trump was deploying the National Guard “not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle,” adding: “Don’t give them one. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully.”
Newsom said it was “deranged behavior” for Hegseth to be “threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens.”
Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that if Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass can’t do their jobs “then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
The protests pit Democratic-run Los Angeles, where census data suggests a significant portion of the population is Hispanic and foreign-born, against Trump’s Republican White House, which has made cracking down on immigration a hallmark of his second term.
‘VIOLENT INSURRECTION’
“Insurrectionists carrying foreign flags are attacking immigration enforcement officers, while one half of America’s political leadership has decided that border enforcement is evil,” Vice President JD Vance posted on X late on Saturday.
Senior White House aide Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner, described the protests as a “violent insurrection.”
The administration has not invoked the Insurrection Act, two U.S. officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity. One said that National Guard troops can deploy quickly, within 24 hours in some cases, and that the military was working to source the 2,000 troops.
The 1807 law empowers a president to deploy the U.S. military to enforce the law and suppress events like civil disorder. The last time it was invoked was during the 1992 Los Angeles riots at the request of the California governor.
Video footage of the Paramount protest showed dozens of green-uniformed security personnel with gas masks at the Paramount protest, lined up on a road strewn with overturned shopping carts as small canisters exploded into gas clouds. Authorities began detaining some protesters, according to Reuters witnesses.
Item 1 of 12 A man on a motorcycle waves a Mexican flag as smoke rises from a burning car on Atlantic Boulevard, during a standoff by protesters and law enforcement, following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in the Los Angeles County city of Compton, California, U.S., June 7, 2025. REUTERS/Barbara Davidson [1/12] A man on a motorcycle waves a Mexican flag as smoke rises from a burning car on Atlantic Boulevard, during a standoff by protesters and law enforcement, following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in the Los Angeles County city of Compton, California, U.S., June 7,… Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab Read more
Los Angeles police posted on X that “multiple people have been detained for failing to disperse after multiple warnings were issued.” It did not give further details.
There was no official information of any arrests.
“Now they know that they cannot go to anywhere in this country where our people are, and try to kidnap our workers, our people – they cannot do that without an organized and fierce resistance,” said protester Ron Gochez, 44.
A first round of protests kicked off on Friday night after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted enforcement operations in the city and arrested at least 44 people on alleged immigration violations.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that there were about “1,000 rioters” at the protests on Friday.
Reuters could not verify DHS’s account. Angelica Salas, executive director of immigrants’ rights organization Chirla, said lawyers had not had access to those detained on Friday, which she called “very worrying.”
TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN
Trump has pledged to deport record numbers of people in the country illegally and lock down the U.S.-Mexico border, with the White House setting a goal for ICE to arrest at least 3,000 migrants per day.
But the sweeping immigration crackdown has also caught up people legally residing in the country, including some with permanent residence, and has led to legal challenges.
ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Los Angeles Police Department did not respond to requests for comment on the protests or whether there had been any immigration raids on Saturday.
Television news footage on Friday showed unmarked vehicles resembling military transport and vans loaded with uniformed federal agents streaming through Los Angeles streets as part of the immigration enforcement operation.
Raids occurred around Home Depot stores, where street vendors and day laborers were picked up, as well as at a garment factory and a warehouse, Salas of Chirla said.
Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, condemned the immigration raids.
“I am deeply angered by what has taken place,” Bass said in a statement. “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. We will not stand for this.”
Reporting by Sandra Stojanovic and Omar Younis; Additional reporting by Lucia Mutikani, Alexandra Ulmer, Michael Martina and Idrees Ali; Writing by Alexandra Ulmer and Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Diane Craft, Deepa Babington, Michelle Nichols and William Mallard
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Trump deploys National Guard in L.A. amid protests over immigration raids
One person arrested and several others detained following Saturday night’s protests across Los Angeles. Two deputies were injured and transported to a local area hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
The spokesperson said the arrest was linked to the protests, without indicating what the charges were.
They added that two deputies were injured and transported to a local area hospital for non-life threatening injuries. They have been released.
At the time of the phone call (5.20 a.m. ET), the spokesperson said crowds had diminished but the protest was still considered active.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/paramount-california-latino-immigrants.html