By unusuma.lk on (LK time)
California National Guard troops were sent to the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday to help control a third day of protests over President Donald Trump’s immigration rules, as the state’s Democratic governor called their deployment illegal.
National Guard troops were placed around federal government buildings, as police and protesters faced off in separate protests over federal immigration crackdowns in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles police called several rallies “unlawful gatherings” claiming that some protesters threw concrete, bottles, and other items at police. Several self-driving cars from Alphabet’s Waymo were set on fire on a downtown street on Sunday evening, video footage showed.
“Arrests are being made,” the police department wrote in a post on social media. Los Angeles police used officers on horseback to try and manage the crowds.
Protesters shouted “shame on you” at police and some were seen throwing objects, according to video. A group of protesters blocked the 101 Freeway, a main road in downtown Los Angeles.
Groups of protesters, many holding Mexican flags and signs criticising U.S. immigration authorities, gathered in different spots around the city. The Los Angeles branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation organised speakers outside City Hall for an afternoon rally.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said he asked the Trump government to cancel its order to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles County, calling it illegal.
Newsom blamed Trump for creating a fake crisis and going against California’s state rights. “These are the actions of a dictator, not a President,” he wrote in a post on X.
The White House denied Newsom’s statement, saying in a message that “everyone saw the chaos, violence and lawlessness.”
Earlier, about a dozen National Guard members, with Department of Homeland Security staff, pushed back a group of protesters who had gathered outside a federal building in downtown Los Angeles, video showed.
U.S. Northern Command said 300 California National Guard members had been sent to three areas in the Los Angeles region. Their duty was limited to protecting federal staff and property.
Trump, in a social media post on Sunday, called the protesters “violent, insurrectionist mobs” and said he had told his ministers “to take all action needed” to stop what he called “riots.”
Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, he warned of violence against protesters who spit on police or National Guard troops, saying “they spit, we hit.” He didn’t mention any clear incident.
“If we see a threat to our country and to our people, the response will be very, very firm in terms of law and order,” Trump said.
The FBI offered a $50,000 reward for tips on a suspect accused of throwing rocks at police vehicles in Paramount, injuring a federal officer.
Although Trump spoke strongly about the protests, he has not used the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law that gives a president the right to use the U.S. military during civil unrest. When asked on Sunday if he might use it, he said “it depends on whether or not there’s an insurrection.”
‘High Alert’
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the military was ready to send active-duty troops “if violence continues” in Los Angeles, saying Marines at nearby Camp Pendleton were “on high alert.” U.S. Northern Command said about 500 Marines were ready to move out if ordered.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass blamed the Trump government for creating more tension by sending the National Guard, but also spoke against protesters who turned violent.
“I don’t want people to fall into the chaos that I believe the government is starting without any real reason,” Bass told reporters at a press event.
Vanessa Cárdenas, head of the immigration rights group America’s Voice, accused the Trump government of “making up a reason to misuse power, and purposely starting trouble around immigration.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday that the National Guard would provide protection around buildings to people doing peaceful protests and to law enforcement.
Trump has promised to deport record numbers of undocumented people and tighten the U.S.-Mexico border, asking ICE to arrest at least 3,000 migrants daily. Census numbers show a large part of the population in Democrat-run Los Angeles is Hispanic and born abroad.
But the large enforcement actions have also affected people legally staying in the U.S., including some with permanent residency, leading to court cases.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Sunday criticised the U.S. government for the immigration raids and National Guard deployment.
“We don’t agree with this way of handling immigration,” Sheinbaum, who has tried to keep good ties with Trump, said at a public event. “This issue won’t be fixed with raids or violence. It needs discussion and proper reform.”
Trump’s Reason
Trump said the National Guard was deployed under a rule in Title 10 of the U.S. Code about the Armed Forces. However, Title 10 also says “orders for these purposes shall be issued through the governors of the States.”
It’s still unclear whether the president had legal power to deploy the National Guard without Newsom’s request.
Title 10 allows federal use of the National Guard if there is “a rebellion or threat of rebellion against U.S. authority.” But these troops can only do limited things and cannot do regular police work.
Trump’s order says the troops will “temporarily protect ICE and other U.S. Government staff doing federal work, including law enforcement, and to protect federal buildings where protests are happening or may happen.”