Live updates: Protesters against immigration raids clash with law enforcement in L.A.; National Guard deployed

Before there were raging protests in Los Angeles, there were immigration raids.

Bass said at a news conference that the raids didn't increase peace and decrease crime but that they did push a wave of fear through a county where 1 in 3 are foreign-born.

Federal agents amassed at three locations Friday to arrest people believed to be in the country illegally, and when they did, L.A.'s sizable pro-immigrant organizations and labor groups rallied and protested.

"What we're seeing in Los Angeles is chaos that is provoked by the administration," Bass said, referring to Trump.

She continued: "When you raid Home Depot and workplaces, when you tear parents and children apart and when you run armored caravans through our streets, you cause fear and you cause panic."

Bass said at a news conference tonight that she had been in touch with the federal government for days and that she had tried to prevent the situation from happening.

"I was trying to encourage the administration that if they deployed the National Guard in Los Angeles, it would create a sense of chaos," she said.

"It’s the last thing our city needs," Bass continued, referring to the wildfires that wreaked havoc across the city this year. She said going from that to "where we are now is just really tragic."

"What we're seeing in L.A. is chaos caused by the administration," Bass said, expressing her support for the First Amendment right to protest but saying Angelenos should do so peacefully.

She called the deployment of the National Guard "a dangerous escalation" in the situation and said she has not spoken to Trump directly but has been in touch with others in the administration.

Anti-ICE protesters clashed with authorities in Los Angeles as tensions grew amid the Trump administration's deployment of National Guard troops to the city. The deployment, made despite opposition from L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, was necessary to tamp down on demonstrations, the Trump administration argued.

California Highway Patrol officers in riot gear have arrived to serve as backup amid protests downtown. They're forming a line on the 101 Freeway.

LAPD officers led five protesters on the freeway away in handcuffs, drawing boos from the crowds.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris said she is “appalled” by the scenes in Los Angeles, saying the Trump administration’s actions are “about stoking fear” and not about public safety.

“Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos," Harris wrote in a statement on social media. "In addition to the recent ICE raids in Southern California and across our nation, it is part of the Trump Administration’s cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division.”

Responding to Harris' statement, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson wrote: “We already knew Biden’s Border Czar supported violent criminal illegal aliens. It’s why the American people rejected her in November.”

Harris said that “protest is a powerful tool” and that the demonstrations have been "overwhelmingly peaceful," adding that she supports “those standing up to protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms.”

Former second gentleman Doug Emhoff echoed Harris' message in a post of his own, saying: "Let’s be clear: STANDING UP for others in the form of peaceful protest is not a threat. It’s the exercise of democracy."

Two officers were injured when two people riding motorcycles tried to breach a police line downtown this afternoon, the LAPD's Central Division said.

“Two officers were injured after being hit by the motorcyclists,” Central Division said on X. The officers were being treated at the scene.

The motorcyclists were detained, the LAPD said.

Bass responded today to a warning by Trump "border czar" Tom Homan that she could face arrest if she's perceived as impeding ICE operations, an idea that Trump doubled down on earlier this evening.

"He had absolutely positively no reason to even say that," Bass said of Homan's warning. "I spoke to him last night. He understands that I am the mayor of the city; the last thing in the world I’m going to do is get into a brawl with the federal government. So that just made no sense. There was no reason for that comment."

Bass and Newsom have been critical of Trump's decision to deploy at least 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, warning it could escalate tensions already heightened by immigration raids across the city.

Bass said the deployment was "overreach" by Trump's administration.

"Our city has been traumatized over the last five months with the state’s worst natural disaster in recent history," referring to the wildfires that devastated some of region early this year. "This is the last thing we need. This is overreach. It is an incredible response to relatively small numbers of protesters."

A man peeking over a guardrail to view the scene got shot “right in the middle of his nose bridge" by a less-lethal police projectile, a witness said.

An officer raised a rifle and shot the man, said Dario DeLeon, 29, who said the man was left with a 4-inch laceration that went as deep as the bone.

"It had to have been targeted because, as you can see, every single canister has been deliberately shot into the air,” DeLeon said. “That was the first one that actually was aimed at us, and it hit him right in the face.”

DeLeon said that he didn't see the shot being fired but that he saw the recoil and the man hitting the ground. He said it took a water bottle and the help of some other people to get the man back to his feet, all while police were shooting more rounds at the crowd.

The man was gushing blood, DeLeon said, which left him with blood all over his hands and his pants from helping out.

A woman came by and said she had a car, DeLeon said. The group of people loaded the man into the car and helped the woman maneuver through traffic to take him to get help, he said.

In a bulleted list on X, Newsom named "the acts of a dictator" and reshared a video of Trump telling reporters today that officials will face charges “if they stand in the way of law and order.”

The list included "inciting and provoking violence," "creating mass chaos," "militarizing cities" and "arresting opponents."

"These are the acts of a dictator, not a President," Newsom wrote.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in response to Newsom's post that the governor "should focus on stopping the violent riots and attacks on law enforcement that are consuming Los Angeles instead of posting comments online that are so absurd they don’t even dignify a response.” 

Both sides of the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles — south and northbound lanes — have been closed after protesters streamed onto the roadway this afternoon.

Though the protesters filled in lanes only on the southbound side initially, police closed it down in both directions, according to the police department's Central Division.

The freeway is one of four that form a loop around downtown; the others are the 110, the 10 and the 5. The 101 comes closest to the city's heart, including the Civic Center area.

Protesters raised fists and waved banners and flags as they took over the 101. Others lined a bridge over the freeway.

Trump’s memo authorizing National Guard deployment in Los Angeles specifically instructed the troops to “temporarily protect ICE and other United States Government personnel who are performing Federal functions." It did not however direct them to conduct arrests in part because of federal law barring federal troops from conducting civil law enforcement.

The restriction, however, would be lifted should Trump decide to invoke the Insurrection Act, a set of statutes that enables the president to deploy federal troops to quell rebellion and domestic violence in specific circumstances, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.

Trump has wide discretion in interpreting the statues, and he does not have to have the consent of the state if he determines that an insurrection is taking place that "obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States."

Newsom said in a statement that he formally asked requested the Trump administration to rescind its deployment of the California National Guard and return it to his command.

“We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed,” Newsom wrote in a post on X, which included images of a letter from Newsom’s legal affairs secretary addressed to Hegseth.

Newsom’s office wrote that the deployment was inconsistent with a statute Trump cited in a memo to the Defense Department calling National Guard troops into service, saying Trump failed to transmit the directive to the governor’s office or coordinate with him, as would be required by that law.

Protesters using an on-ramp from the area of the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building temporarily blocked traffic on the 101 Freeway this afternoon.

They streamed down an on-ramp into the southbound lanes as police tried to control the situation.

Protesters surrounded officers arriving in SUVs as crowds also massed at three major intersections in the area. The sound of less-lethal rounds being fired at protesters echoed off the high-rises and enveloped the scene near the federal complex.

Protesters continued to gather in downtown Los Angeles today despite the police declaration of an unlawful assembly and authorization to arrest anyone who throws items at officers.

Los Angeles police are shooting rounds of rubber projectiles into crowds of protesters in downtown L.A.

The FBI is asking for the public's help to identify a man it said assaulted an officer and damaged government property yesterday.

The agency said the man, who should be considered armed and dangerous, threw rocks at law enforcement vehicles on Alondra Boulevard in Paramount, injuring an officer and damaging the car.

It is offering a reward of up to $50,000.

Los Angeles police say people in the crowd of protesters are throwing items at them.

They include pieces of concrete and used beverage bottles, the Los Angeles Police Department's Central Division, which patrols downtown, said on X.

Officers have been authorized to arrest people throwing objects at law enforcement as the group at Alameda and Temple streets has been ordered to disperse, the division said.

There's a huge police convoy on the 110 Freeway. Police are moving in on foot. Protesters at the Intersection of Alameda and Commercial streets are screaming, "Hold the line!"

Los Angeles police declared an unlawful assembly was taking place downtown outside and around the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building.

Officers with batons formed a perimeter around the adjacent Metropolitan Detention Center, the federal lockup, drawing attention from National Guard troops who lined the area.

Officers continued to fire less-lethal weapons as an incident commander authorized the arrest of anyone throwing items at law enforcement, according to the police departent's Central Division, which patrols downtown.

The U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, today defended the character of the Mexican people, even as some of the protesters who clashed with police waved large Mexican flags in the street.

"The violent protesters in LA do not represent the proud and hardworking Mexican people we know and respect," he said on X. "Our actions protect all communities and uphold the rule of law. Mexico is our partner—and the ties between our nations run deep."

It's a partnership that has been strained by Trump's tariffs and his focus on border security.

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino warned protesters who “choose violence tonight” that the FBI will investigate and pursue “all available leads for assault on a federal officer.”

“If you choose violence tonight, this message is for you,” Bongino wrote on X. 

Bongino issued the warning shortly after a post from Trump declaring he has asked members of his Cabinet to take all necessary action to “liberate Los Angeles.”

“Although we’ll pursue every case, we don’t need to catch every single perp, we just need to catch you,” Bongino wrote, adding that he and FBI Director Kash Patel directed their teams to use all of their available investigative and technological tools “to pursue you long after order is firmly established.”

“We will not forget. Even after you try to,” Bongino concluded.

In a joint statement, Democratic governors condemned Trump’s decision to deploy the California National Guard, an action they called “an alarming abuse of power.”

“Governors are the Commanders in Chief of their National Guard and the federal government activating them in their own borders without consulting or working with a state’s governor is ineffective and dangerous,” said the statement, which Newsom posted to X.

The governors added that their executive authority to control each of their respective National Guards must be respected, adding that “we stand with Governor Newsom who has made it clear that violence is unacceptable and that local authorities should be able to do their jobs without the chaos of this federal interference and intimidation.”

Los Angeles police officers in riot gear retreated this afternoon after having faced off with protesters near the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building.

Officers formed skirmish lines and fired less-lethal rounds that appeared to be rubberlike projectiles as they faced off with protesters, but officers ultimately backed off.

At about the same time, the police department issued a citywide tactical alert, which allows supervisors to keep officers past their shifts and maintain high levels of staffing in the event of emergencies or large incidents. Such alerts authorize overtime for officers.

Trump posted on Truth Social that he is directing members of his Cabinet to “take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion and put an end to these Migrant riots.”

Trump, who has already deployed the National Guard to the city and did not rule out invoking the Insurrection Act, did not specify what the action would entail.

Trump also said in the post said that the city had been “invaded and occupied” and that “violent, insurrectionist mobs” were attacking federal agents, adding that “these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve.”

Protesters gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles this afternoon and chanted "Shame on you" at National Guard members who created a perimeter around the federal building.

Other chants that could be heard among the protesters outside City Hall downtown included "Donald Trump, let’s be clear: immigrants are welcome here" and "Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE."

Protesters also chanted, "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here."

Speaking to reporters, Trump appeared to suggest that protesters who spit or throw objects at law enforcement will face consequences, saying, “They spit, we hit.”

Trump said spitting on people was protesters’ “new thing,” adding: “Nobody’s going to spit on our police officers. Nobody’s going to spit on our military, which they do, is a common thing. They get up to him this far away, and then they start spitting in their face. That happens, they get hit very hard.”

Asked by a reporter whether he plans to invoke the Insurrection Act, Trump said, “Depends on whether or not there’s an insurrection,” adding that he did not think there was one but that “you have violent people, and we’re not going to let them get away with it.”

The Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles was surrounded by protesters carrying flags and signs while remaining peaceful.

Newsom urged the group to stay that way, writing on X: "Don’t give Trump what he wants. Stay calm."

Though the group was large and some were holding signs with profanity, it appeared that the crowd was demonstrating without aggression. They stood against law enforcement wearing shielded helmets and gas masks.

One person held up a sign that read, "First Trump came for the immigrants and we said NOT TODAY." There was also a profanity at the end of the statement.

Trump told reporters today that California officials could face federal charges for blocking deportation efforts, doubling down on an idea his "border czar," Tom Homan, first presented last night.

"Officials who stand in the way of law and order, yeah, they will face judges," Trump said.

Homan, who's been in Los Angeles throughout both the deportation operation and the subsequent protest, told NBC News' Jacob Soboroff that California officials could be subject to arrest if they "crossed the line" and impeded ICE officers.

“I’ll say about anybody,” Homan said. “It’s a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It’s a felony to impede law enforcement from doing their job.”

Trump’s decision to deploy thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles has frustrated state and local leaders, including Newsom and Bass.

The two Democratic leaders have emphasized that the state did not request the deployment and warned that it could further escalate tensions between law enforcement and protesters.

Protesters marched from Boyle Heights to downtown Los Angeles this afternoon.

Video shows the group in Alameda marching toward a federal building where National Guard members are. The protesters could be seen in the road disrupting traffic.

National Guard members deployed what looked like tear gas canisters at protesters on Alameda Street in downtown Los Angeles this afternoon.

Protesters had gathered around the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, one of the two main federal complexes in the city, where National Guard members were deployed.

The National Guard members threw canisters that let out a smokelike material when they hit the ground. The action dispersed the crowd.

The crowd began to slowly gather around the federal building again minutes after the incident. National Guard members established a perimeter around the building.

A White House official told NBC News that Trump told Newsom to get police officers in gear Friday because "things were getting out of control," the official said.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard to the city "a chaotic escalation."

"The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real — it’s felt in our communities and within our families and it puts our neighborhoods at risk," Bass said in a statement. "This is the last thing that our city needs, and I urge protestors to remain peaceful."

Bass said she has been in touch with immigrant rights leaders and local law enforcement.

"Los Angeles will always stand with everyone who calls our city home," she said.

Protesters have gathered in the Boyle Heights neighborhoodAngeles.

Video shows the protesters scattered in an area near National Guard vehicles. One protester is carrying a Mexican flag. National Guard members have formed a perimeter around their vehicles and are facing the protesters.

The protesters plan to march to downtown Los Angeles to join a rally planned for 2 p.m. local time.

In an interview on CNN this morning, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., accused Trump of "moving this country rapidly into authoritarianism" when he was asked for his response to Trump's decision to send National Guard troops to Los Angeles.

"We have a president who is moving this country rapidly into authoritarianism," Sanders said, adding later: "This guy wants all of the power. He does not believe in the Constitution. He does not believe in the rule of law. My understanding is that the governor of California, the mayor of the city of Los Angeles did not request the National Guard. But [Trump] thinks he has a right to do anything he wants."

In a post on X, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said President Donald Trump opted to send 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles "not to meet an unmet need, but to manufacture a crisis."

“He’s hoping for chaos so he can justify more crackdowns, more fear, more control,” Newsom wrote. “Stay calm. Never use violence. Stay peaceful.”

Newsom's office also responded to a post form the Department of Homeland Security, which shared images of what it called "violent rioters" in Los Angeles, adding that they "will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

"Just like those who attacked the police on January 6th, right?" his office wrote on X.

Last night, Trump said Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass were "unable to to handle the task" of controlling the protests in the city, calling the governor "incompetent."

A gas station was looted and a car was set on fire during anti-ICE protests yesterday in Los Angeles.

The AMPM gas station near the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Alondra Boulevard in the city of Compton was looted overnight. Video from the scene shows multiple people breaking into the gas station and taking items.

Earlier in the day, video shows that a car was set ablaze in the same area. Flames completely engulfed the vehicle, which was in the middle of the street.

Law enforcement and protesters clashed during demonstrations yesterday, prompting the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to deploy pepper balls and flashbangs to control the crowd.

LOS ANGELES — The Trump administration’s border czar warned that immigration enforcement will continue “every day” in Los Angeles, hinting that even elected officials could face arrest if they interfere with agents on the ground.

Tom Homan, appointed by President Donald Trump, appeared undeterred by the volatile protests against federal agents in Los Angeles who were carrying out immigration raids. Enforcement would be a daily occurrence, he said in a late-Saturday interview with NBC News.

“I’m telling you what, we’re going to keep enforcing law every day in L.A.,” Homan said. “Every day in L.A., we’re going to enforce immigration law. I don’t care if they like it or not.”

Read the full story here

Approximately 300 members of the California National Guard's 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team have been deployed to three different locations in the greater Los Angeles area, according to U.S. Northern Command.

"They are conducting safety and protection of federal property & personnel," USNORTHCOM said.

LAPD officers have been deployed and are monitoring activities in the Civic Center area of Los Angeles, the department said on X.

"Everyone has the right to peacefully assemble and voice their opinions. However, vandalizing property and attempting to seriously injure officers, whether Federal or LAPD, is not peaceful," the LAPD said.

Asked about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggesting that Marines could be sent to help respond to the protests, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the move would not be heavy-handed.

"One of our core principles is maintaining peace through strength. We do that on foreign affairs and domestic affairs as well," he said during an interview on ABC News' "This Week." "I don't think that's heavy-handed. I think that's an important signal."

"You don't think sending Marines into the streets of an American city is heavy-handed?" asked co-anchor Jonathan Karl.

"We have to be prepared to do what is necessary," Johnson said. "And I think the notice that that might happen might have the deterring effect."

In a post on X, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said the federal government is "not stopping or slowing down" and that authorities will continue to arrest protesters.

"We are not stopping or slowing down. We are not intimidated or apprehensive. Illegal immigration operations will continue, and anyone using violence to obstruct or impede these operations will be investigated and prosecuted," Bongino wrote.

"Multiple arrests have already been made, in both LA and NY, and additional investigations are ongoing, and producing results. Many of these subjects will face federal charges, along with local and state charges. It will not end well for you if you choose violence. Choose wisely," he added.

The Los Angeles Police Department arrested 11 people last night for failure to disperse, according to a law enforcement source familiar with the situation.

Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-Calif., who represents Paramount, told CNN's "State of the Union" that bringing the National Guard to the community would escalate the situation.

Barragán said yesterday's protest started peacefully, until ICE officers began "doing the tear gas, shooting out pellets," she told CNN.

"Now you’re talking about bringing in the National Guard to militarize the situation," she said. "It’s going to get worse. It’s unnecessary again."

She said she is now being told to prepare for "30 days of ICE enforcement," which will involve 2,000 troops on the ground.

"It’s a concern. I mean, it’s going to escalate the situation," she said. "People are going to protest because they’re angry about the situation, and we have to just reiterate to people to do it peacefully."

The political grassroots organization 50501, founded to protest the actions of the second Donald Trump administration, is planning to hold peaceful protests "in solidarity with the people of Los Angeles on June 8-14 across the country, according to news release.

The organization accused ICE of conducting "warrantless, military-style raids" in the city on Friday and detaining at least 44 people, as well as injuring and arresting union leader David Huerta, president of SEIU California, part of the Service Employees International Union.

"50501 is demanding an immediate end to the unlawful federal immigration raids terrorizing families and communities across the U.S., the release of SEIU President David Huerta, the immediate abolishment of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the deactivation of the National Guard in California, and the enactment of federal legislation preventing Trump from destroying due process rights, freedom of expression, and other constitutional freedoms," the organization said.

Noem said in an interview on CBS News' "Face the Nation" that the National Guard troops who were deployed to address the protests are trained to handle crowds.

"These 2,000 National Guard soldiers that are being engaged today are ones that are specifically trained for this type of crowd situation, where they'll be with the public and be able to provide safety around buildings and to those that are engaged in peaceful protests, and also to our law enforcement officers so they can continue their daily work," Noem said.

Members of the California National Guard arrived in Los Angeles early this morning in response to yesterday's protest against federal immigration raids.

The members are from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, according to the U.S. Northern Command. They will be guarding federal buildings and other federal facilities.

Video from downtown Los Angeles showed National Guard vehicles carrying the members arriving at a federal building. The guard members donned their gear and weapons as they exited the vehicles and stood around the building.

President Donald Trump deployed around 2,000 National Guard members against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, who criticized the move as inflammatory and unnecessary.

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., told NBC News' "Meet the Press" that Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard was an effort to de-escalate tensions.

"I think what President Trump's trying to do is pretty clear. He's trying to de-escalate all the tensions that are there," he said.

He referred to protests in the wake of George Floyd's murder, saying, "What President Trump is trying to do is say this is not going to take weeks this time" to quell unrest.

A protest erupted in Los Angeles on yesterday, one day after dozens of people were taken into custody as federal immigration authorities raided three locations across Los Angeles.

Shopping carts were strewn across smoke-filled streets occupied by dozens of people. Some appeared to throw things toward the officers. Social media videos verified by NBC News captured protesters and authorities clashing near a Home Depot in the city of Paramount, where some mistakenly believed a federal immigration raid was to take place.

Deputies in full riot gear that included ballistic vests, full helmets and, in some cases, clear shields, pushed forward in unison as some protesters refused to leave the area near the Home Depot. More tear gas was deployed, as well as distraction devices that produce a shocking, explosive sound.

In downtown Los Angeles, one demonstrator was seen hurling an object at a police cruiser, shattering its rear window, after surrounding the vehicle at an intersection.

President Donald Trump signed a memo yesterday federalizing 2,000 California National Guardsmen to address what a White House official called the “lawlessness that has been allowed to fester” in Los Angeles.

Hours later, Trump thanked the National Guard for a “job well done” on social media, but there was still no sign of troops in Los Angeles as protests died down for the night after a day of chaos.

Organizers have already called for a third day of protests in the city for today.

National Guard troops will arrive in L.A. County within the next 24 hours, the Trump administration’s top law enforcement official in Southern California said in an interview with The New York Times early today.

Bilal “Bill” A. Essayli, the interim U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, said the 2,000 troops were needed to quell protests over immigration enforcement that are “out of control.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard is “completely unnecessary,” after Trump said late yesterday that 2,000 members of the guard would be deployed.

“Our city has experienced massive civil unrest before,” she said in an interview with a Fox local affiliate, referring to riots that took place in L.A. in 1992, when more than 50 people were killed and thousands arrested.

“If you want to see it happen again, then you have an extreme presence of troops or law enforcement officers, and that is going to agitate the population. That is not going to solve the problem.”

Bass said she had spoken to the Trump administration and that L.A. was “well equipped to handle” any violence associated with protests.

“2,000 officers, 2,000 in our city, will not be a positive thing and will not be helpful,” she added.

The U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, which includes L.A., said more than a dozen people were detained yesterday following clashes between protesters and federal agents.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said on X that the suspects were apprehended for allegedly impeding federal agents, though details, including exact possible charges, were unavailable.

“We will continue to arrest anyone who interferes with federal law enforcement,” he said.

Tom Homan, Trump’s appointed border czar, defended the president’s decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles despite opposition to the move from local leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom — and warned that the governor and L.A.’s mayor could be arrested.

“President Trump is deploying the National Guard because they’re going to support our law enforcement efforts here that will help protect public safety,” Homan told NBC News tonight.

Newsom accused Trump’s administration of using the deployment to create a “spectacle.” Earlier, he called the immigration arrests that triggered protests a “chaotic” attempt to sow chaos and escalate tensions. 

Homan dismissed Newsom’s assertion and chided the governor for his criticism of the administration’s effort to detain and deport undocumented immigrants.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom tonight said the Trump administration’s move to federalize and deploy the state National Guard is being done not because of a legitimate need but due to the desire for a “spectacle.”

Newsom acknowledged the Trump administration’s move to use the California National Guard to protect federal agents and help arrest troublemakers during protests against federal immigration raids, and he urged demonstrators to remain peaceful.

“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,” the governor said in a statement on X.

“Don’t give them one,” he added. “Never use violence. Speak out peacefully.”

The deployment of the California National Guard might end up being a first step if federal agents are attacked again in Los Angeles, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said tonight, adding that he might deploy U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton in San Diego County to support federal law enforcement.

“They are on high alert,” he said.