LA anti-ICE protest: Trump deploys National Guard
"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," reports Reuters.
On Saturday, some protestors in Los Angeles waved Mexican flags during anti-ICE protest. A second of those protests attracted over 60 people, chanting slogans "ICE out of LA."
In the statement issued by the White House, it was claimed that "a violent mob" attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents, who were "carrying out basic deportation operations." According to the statement, these operations "are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States."
According to the White House, the Democratic Party is to blame for not "protecting" the American citizens. Therefore, President Trump "has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester," reported the White House's Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
Reaction to the decision
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the presidential decision, calling it "inflammatory", and urged the protestors to "never use violence" and to "speak out peacefully." According to him, Trump's decision is not based on the actual staff shortage, but rather due to the presidential need for a "spectacle."
Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth, however, supported Trump in his decision, claiming that "a dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations)" is a "huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK." He also threatened that "if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilised — they are on high alert."
