Trump orders troops in Los Angeles as an agent, protesters clash with immigrants
President Trump has ordered 2,000 National Guard forces in Los Angeles to fight violent protesters against immigration enforcement.
National Guard forces were poured into Los Angeles on Sunday after a string of protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies escalated into a clash between protesters and police officers dressed in riot equipment.
Another rally is scheduled for the recent immigration and customs raids scheduled for Sunday at Los Angeles City Hall. Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 security guards against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s objection, which Trump said he wanted to create a “spectacle.”
The US Northern Command said about 300 soldiers were already on the ground at three locations in the Greater Los Angeles region to provide “the safety and protection of federal property and personnel.” The Los Angeles Police Department said officers have been deployed in protest areas.
“Everyone has the right to peacefully gather and express their opinions,” LAPD said in a social media post. “But destroying property and trying to seriously injure an officer, whether it’s federal or LAPD, is not peaceful.”
The protest had not spread, and most of the city was a quiet Sunday. However, about 12 National Guard members were seen lined up in a federal building in downtown Los Angeles, where detainees from the migrant attacks took place on Friday. The complex was located near city hall and was expected to see a protest Sunday.
Senator Bernie Sanders said he believes President Donald Trump will “movement this country quickly to authoritarianism” after President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to quell the immigration protests in Los Angeles.
“This guy wants all power. He doesn’t believe in the constitution. He doesn’t believe in the rule of law,” Vermont’s independent Sanders told CNN’s Dana Bash about the “state of the Union.” “My understanding is that the governor of California, the mayor of Los Angeles, did not request the National Guard, but he (Trump) believes he has the right to do what he wants to do.”
The protest was spurred by the Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants. Protesters argue that the administration’s immigration enforcement violates citizens and human rights.
“These radical left protests will not be tolerated by instigators and often paid troublemakers,” Trump said in a social media post Sunday. Trump and administration officials attacked Newsom, Mayor Karen Bass and other Democrats for not subduing the attack. White House spokesman Caroline Leavitt said Trump had deployed security guards a day ago to sign a memo “dealize the lawlessness of Fester.”
“The Trump administration has a zero-tolerance policy against criminal activity and violence, especially when the violence seeks to be the law enforcement officers they are trying to do their job,” she said in a statement.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegses said the Pentagon is “if violence continues” and is ready to mobilize active troops if nearby Camp Pendleton Marines are “on alert.”
On Saturday, a massive protest exploded in Paramount, Los Angeles County, about 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. It came as immigration and customs enforcement agents carried out enforcement activities in the area and arrested at least 44 people on suspicion of immigration violations.
More demonstrations continued, with some protesters storming ice officers, slashing tires and destroying dirty buildings, according to the US Department of Homeland Security. Police sometimes defeated their anxiety by firing tear gas, pepper spray and flash van concussions to attract crowds.
“The violent targeting of law enforcement in Los Angeles by lawless rioters is sleazy, and Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom need to end it,” Deputy Director Tricia McLaughlin said. “The ice men and women have breathed life into protecting and protecting the lives of American citizens.”
Contribution: Reuters
