President Trump signed a memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guard soldiers on saturday after federal immigration sweeps led to protests in Los Angeles County.

The trump administration has promised continued immigration enforcement, blaming California officials for the unrest.

Political Reactions to National Guard Deployment

The deployment has triggered a series of reactions from both sides of the political spectrum.

Trump addressed Los angeles mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. gavin Newsom in a post on saturday evening, stating, “If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles,” further adding that “California’s feckless Democrat leaders have fully abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.”

“violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles.”

Newsom responded that the move “to take over the California National Guard” is “purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.” He added that “LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice,” and “We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need.”

In an earlier post, Newsom stated, “the federal government is sowing chaos so they can have an excuse to escalate. That is not the way any civilized country behaves.”

Protests and Reactions

Protests in downtown Los Angeles on Friday and into the weekend reportedly led to hundreds of detainments,a standoff with federal agents and flash bang grenades.

• A exhibition Saturday in paramount,which is about 30 minutes south of downtown Los Angeles,was marked by tear gas,billowing smoke and allegations of violence and vandalism.
• Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said demonstrators were “assaulting ICE enforcement officers, slashing tires, defacing buildings and taxpayer funded property.”
• McLaughlin stated that 800 protesters surrounded and breached the first layer of a federal law enforcement building.

Acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons said it took more then two hours for Los Angeles police to respond on Friday, alleging that Mayor Bass was siding with “chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.”

Mayor Bass condemned violence saturday night, stating, “We’ve been in direct contact with officials in Washington, D.C.,and are working closely with law enforcement to find the best path forward.” In an earlier statement, she criticized federal immigration enforcement actions, which she said “sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city,” adding, “my Office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations. We will not stand for this.”

Other California officials described an atmosphere of fear in immigrant communities leading up to the protests.

• Rep. Nanette Barragan (D-Calif.) stated, “ICE has brought their terror tactics and masked agents to #Paramount this morning – in my district. This is unacceptable.We will demand answers and accountability.”
• Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said the sheriff’s department does not participate in the mass sweeps, adding, “We recognize that these reports have caused fear, anxiety and concern within our communities,” and “We urge everyone to remain calm and peaceful as we continue to place your safety and well-being at the forefront of our efforts.”