Kristi Noem, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, issued a stern warning to demonstrators opposing the widespread ICE raids initiated this Friday in Los Angeles, California. "If you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will face the full force of the law," Noem declared on social media platform X, following a surge in protests against ICE in the city.
Clashes erupted between Los Angeles police and demonstrators in downtown and the suburb of Paramount, California, after authorities deemed a protest unlawful and moved to disperse the crowd. Amidst this unrest, former President Donald Trump directed the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard troops to restore and maintain order.
Two individuals were detained for allegedly assaulting an officer and throwing a Molotov cocktail, as confirmed by officials from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to CBS News Los Angeles on Saturday. Following Friday’s raids, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized federal agents for employing tactics that "instill fear in our communities and undermine the foundational principles of safety in our city."
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell released a statement asserting that city police would not participate in the civil enforcement of immigration laws, prompting Trump to mobilize California law enforcement. Additionally, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that active-duty Marines could be called upon. He argued that the use of U.S. troops for law enforcement would not violate the long-standing Posse Comitatus Act because the immigrants targeted by ICE are "foreign invaders."
"The violent mob attacks on ICE and federal law enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of criminal illegal aliens from our soil; a dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (also known as foreign terrorist organizations) and a significant NATIONAL SECURITY RISK," Hegseth stated in a post on X.
Since the raids began on Friday, more than 100 migrants have been detained by ICE. On Saturday, President Trump announced the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles in response to the large-scale protests that erupted following the numerous arrests during ICE operations across the city.
"If Governor Gavin Newsom of California and Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles cannot do their job, which everyone knows they cannot, then the Federal Government will step in and resolve the issue, RIOTS & LOOTERS, in the way it should be resolved," Trump posted on his platform Truth Social. A memorandum indicated that at least 2,000 National Guard troops would be deployed under Title 10 "for 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense."
Key Questions on ICE Raids and Protests
What prompted the ICE raids in Los Angeles?
The ICE raids in Los Angeles were part of a large-scale federal operation aimed at detaining undocumented immigrants, which led to widespread protests.
How did local authorities respond to the protests?
Local authorities, including the Los Angeles Police Department, engaged in clashes with protesters and declared the demonstrations unlawful, leading to police intervention to disperse the crowds.
What measures did the federal government take in response to the unrest?
In response to the protests, the federal government, under President Trump, deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to help restore order.