Los Angeles: US President Donald Trump defended his decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles, California, following protests against his administration’s immigration policies.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the protests erupted in response to Trump’s approach to deporting illegal immigrants. Trump took to social media platform ‘Truth Social’ to assert that the decision to send the National Guard was essential to counter what he described as violent riots. He criticized Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass for their opposition, suggesting they should appreciate the federal intervention.
Governor Gavin Newsom, however, announced plans to sue the Trump administration, arguing that deploying the National Guard without his consent was a violation of state sovereignty. In a post on social media platform ‘X,’ Newsom called for the withdrawal of the troops, claiming that their presence escalated tensions and diverted resources from critical areas.
The US Northern Command explained that the National Guard was deployed to protect federal employees and properties in the Greater Los Angeles Area. The protests, which intensified over the weekend, saw clashes between security forces and demonstrators, particularly in the Paramount area, where tear gas and sound bombs were used.
The US Department of Homeland Security reported that a federal law enforcement building was besieged by rioters, leading to assaults on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and acts of vandalism. The protests followed federal immigration inspections in California that resulted in the arrest of 44 individuals as part of Trump’s immigration crackdown.