Tensions boiled over in Los Angeles this weekend as National Guard troops were deployed following back-to-back days of heated confrontations over Donald Trump’s intensified immigration crackdown.
The troops touched down in downtown L.A. on Sunday morning, responding to escalating chaos between law enforcement and demonstrators protesting federal immigration operations.
Protests erupted across key areas of Los Angeles County, including downtown, the Westlake District, and Paramount. What began as peaceful gatherings quickly spiraled into violent clashes, with multiple federal officers reportedly injured during the Friday and Saturday confrontations.
A senior city source confirmed that at least 29 people were arrested on Friday night alone, although the full number of detentions remains unconfirmed.
Late Saturday, Trump took to Truth Social to announce the military deployment, citing “two days of violence, clashes, and unrest” in the city. He attributed the disruption to what he described as “Radical Left protests” and alleged that some demonstrators were “paid troublemakers.”
In a controversial move, Trump also declared a ban on wearing masks during protests, though details on enforcement remain vague. A Presidential Memorandum issued shortly after confirmed the mobilization of 2,000 National Guard troops… primarily sourced from the California National Guard, according to the Defense Department.
As the city braces for more demonstrations, both sides appear entrenched… raising concerns that the standoff between protesters and federal authorities may intensify in the days ahead.
