National Guard Deployed in LA County Amid Violent Anti-ICE Protests

In a dramatic escalation of tensions in Los Angeles County, the National Guard is set to be deployed following violent anti-ICE protests that erupted over the weekend. According to border czar Tom Homan, the decision comes as clashes between protesters and law enforcement intensify, particularly after a raid in Paramount, California, where tear gas was used and several arrests were made for assaulting federal agents.

The scene in Paramount was nothing short of chaotic, with videos showing Border Patrol vehicles under attack—rocks and concrete shattering windshields, leaving agents injured. This isn’t just a protest; it’s a battle zone, with one agent’s bloody hand serving as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those enforcing immigration laws. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks has vowed that such attacks will not be tolerated, promising federal prosecution for those responsible.

President Donald Trump didn’t hold back, taking to Truth Social to slam California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their inaction, threatening federal intervention to curb the riots and looting. Newsom, in response, criticized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard soldiers as 'inflammatory,' arguing that local authorities are equipped to handle the situation. Yet, with additional California Highway Patrol troopers being sent to maintain order, the question remains: who’s really in control here?

The protests, fueled by recent ICE operations that led to the arrest of 118 illegal immigrants in LA—including gang members and individuals with serious criminal histories—have spiraled into violence. Just a day prior, over 1,000 rioters in Los Angeles assaulted ICE agents, defaced buildings, and even targeted media vehicles, with one news truck left smashed and looted. It’s a stark illustration of how quickly tensions over immigration policy can ignite into outright hostility.

Vice President JD Vance weighed in, framing the border crisis as an 'invasion,' while DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued a stern warning to rioters, affirming that ICE will not be deterred. Meanwhile, Mayor Bass, after initial silence, called the violence 'unacceptable,' though her statement came amid criticism for a lack of decisive action. As the FBI seeks to identify those responsible for the attacks, the situation in LA remains a powder keg, with federal and state leaders at odds over how to restore order.