Trump Deploys National Guard Troops to LA After Violent Anti-ICE Demonstrations

Demonstrators clashed with federal authorities and attempted to force their way into a federal building in Los Angeles following ICE operations on June 6.

Border Patrol personnel deploy tear gas during a demonstration over the dozens of people detained in an operation by federal immigration authorities a day earlier in the Paramount section of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. Eric Thayer/AP Photo

The Trump administration has ordered National Guard troops to deploy to Los Angeles following violent confrontations between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and protesters.

Demonstrators clashed with federal authorities and attempted to force their way into the Roybal Federal Building on June 6, as ICE agents carried out multiple immigration sweeps throughout Los Angeles County.

White House border czar Tom Homan said these clashes would be met with federal action, including National Guard troop deployment.

“We are going to bring the National Guard in tonight,” Homan said in an interview with Fox News on the evening of June 7.

In a statement posted to social media platform X, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the Defense Department is “mobilizing the National Guard immediately to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles.”

“And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized—they are on high alert,” he said.

Shortly after Homan’s Fox News appearance, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement confirming that the White House intends to mobilize 2,000 National Guard troops.

“The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs,” Leavitt said. “These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice. The Commander-in-Chief will ensure the laws of the United States are executed fully and completely.”

President Donald Trump said the protests will not be tolerated and that masks will not be allowed at protests moving forward.

“What do these people have to hide, and why??? Again, thank you to the National Guard for a job well done!,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, in a social media post, said the planned troop deployment amounted to a federal government takeover of the National Guard. Newsom said the move is “purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.”

Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, spokesperson for ICE Homeland Security Investigations, announced that federal agents arrested 44 people during the June 6 immigration operation.

The arrests soon prompted demonstrations.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said authorities arrested David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union California, for trying to impede the immigration enforcement actions. In its own statement, the union said Huerta was arrested and injured by authorities “while exercising his First Amendment right to observe and document law enforcement activity.”

On June 6, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement denouncing the immigration operation.

“These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city,“ she said. ”My Office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations. We will not stand for this.”

In a June 7 press statement, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said federal agents called for help for more than two hours before Los Angeles Police Department officers finally intervened against the demonstrators.

As the confrontation grew, demonstrators threw pieces of broken concrete at officers.

“These violent rioters will be held accountable if they harm federal officers, and make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens,” Lyons said on June 7.

Trump criticized Newsom and Bass in a post on his Truth Social account on June 7.

If Newsom and Bass cannot do their jobs, he wrote, “then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, rioters & looters, the way it should be solved!!!”

Violent clashes continued for a second day in a row on June 7.

Bass issued a new statement on the evening of June 7, urging demonstrators against violence.

“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,” Bass said. “Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.