National Guard Deployment Amid Protests in Los Angeles
In a move that underscores the escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, Border Czar Tom Homan announced on Saturday evening the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles. This decision comes in response to two days of intense protests, marked by violence and calls for harm against ICE agents, which have been prominently displayed throughout the city.
Saturday’s protests escalated dramatically as demonstrators hurled rocks at ICE and federal law enforcement vehicles exiting a raid at a Home Depot in Paramount, a city within Los Angeles County. Eyewitness accounts revealed shattered windshields and injuries to agents, including one who suffered a hand injury from debris. The protests also involved barricading roads and attempts to obstruct a U.S. Marshalās Service bus.
In an interview with Fox News, Homan articulated the rationale behind deploying the National Guard: āThis is about enforcing the law, and weāre not going to apologize for it. Weāre stepping up. While Mayor Bass claims she is mobilizing, we are already ahead of the game. National Guard troops will be on the ground tonight, and we intend to enforce the law.ā
Tom Homan: We are making Los Angeles safer. Mayor Bass should be thanking us. She says they are going to mobilizeāguess what? We are already mobilizing. We are going to bring the National Guard in tonight pic.twitter.com/Mw9wUbkmWU
ā Acyn (@Acyn) June 7, 2025
Additional footage from the scene captured the severity of the situation, including a video showing the immediate aftermath of the rock-throwing incident in Paramount.
Many Border Patrol vehicles and other unmarked cars just exited the anti-ICE protest area in Paramount, California. They were met with fierce resistance from protesters, with a number of vehicles being visibly damaged. pic.twitter.com/Ek8AyQ9AQb
ā Jeremy Lindenfeld (@jeremotographs) June 7, 2025
As tensions flared, reports of clashes between protesters and riot police became more frequent, marking a clear divide in public sentiment surrounding immigration policies. Videos and images emerged showing riot police deploying tear gas and flashbangs to disperse crowds.
#BREAKING: Protesters and Rioters are Clashing with Riot Police Amid a ICE Raid taking place at a Home Depot as they deploy Tear Gas and Flash Bangs
#LosAngeles | #Californiaā°ā°At this time Numerous federal agents and law enforcement officers in riot gear are clashing withā¦ pic.twitter.com/Zn9DbFpwgy
ā R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) June 7, 2025
As the protests continued, some demonstrators attempted to block a Marshal Service bus, drawing attention to the increasingly chaotic environment in Los Angeles.
Leftists in Paramount, California are trying to stop a bus marked āMarshall serviceā
Arrests need to happen. pic.twitter.com/DVC7qmJmwe
ā 3sidedstory (@3sidedstory) June 7, 2025
Reports from on-the-ground journalists highlighted the dangers faced by federal agents, with one incident showing a vehicle being attacked with rocks as agents attempted to leave the protest area.
BREAKING: @FoxNews has obtained intense video showing @CBP agentsā perspective inside their vehicle as it is pelted with rocks while they attempt to leave the anti-ICE protest in Paramount, CA today. You can hear & see the windows & windshield breaking w/ each hit. Federal sourceā¦ pic.twitter.com/2oo2N4GzU1
ā Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 7, 2025
Despite the violence, officials have emphasized that the protests are a response to the actions of ICE, which have included threats against agents. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated, āWe will not stand for THIS,ā echoing the sentiments of many who believe in the need for law enforcement to be protected amid rising tensions.
We will not stand for THIS. https://t.co/TmsZQgbZXI pic.twitter.com/dyTxOKpqQk
ā Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) June 7, 2025
As chaos unfolded, a vehicle was set ablaze in Compton, further illustrating the volatility of the situation.
JUST IN: People waving Mexican flags just SET A VEHICLE ON FIRE in the LA area, right in the middle of an intersection.
TOTAL DISORDER in Gavin Newsomās California.
The vehicle is totally lighting up in flames.
The National Guard cannot arrive soon ENOUGH. pic.twitter.com/tqwls2mfPZ
ā Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 7, 2025
Reports indicate that the Pentagon had been contemplating the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles prior to Homan’s announcement, suggesting a more serious approach to the protests than mere rhetoric.
A senior Pentagon intelligence analyst disclosed that Homan’s comments were not just bluster; discussions were ongoing regarding military personnel deployment to address the unrest. While a formal order is yet to be issued, the administration claims that the actions of protesters justify invoking the Insurrection Act, potentially allowing for federal troops to be dispatched.
The White House has also characterized the protests as insurrectionary, with Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller asserting that these actions pose a direct challenge to U.S. laws and sovereignty.
An insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States. https://t.co/STSn4hYGx4
ā Stephen Miller (@StephenM) June 7, 2025
UPDATE: The White House released a statement addressing the violence:
āIn recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California. These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States. In the wake of this violence, Californiaās feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens. That is why President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester. 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. 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.ā
-Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
