Trump Sends National Guard to L.A. to Stop Immigration Riots, Vows No Repeat of 2020 Chaos

In a decisive move to quell escalating tensions in Los Angeles, President Donald Trump has deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to restore order amid violent protests sparked by recent immigration raids. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, speaking on CBS’ Face the Nation, emphasized Trump’s commitment to community safety and law enforcement, contrasting his swift action with what she called the failures of Democratic leadership during the 2020 riots.

The unrest follows aggressive federal immigration sweeps in the L.A. area, targeting migrants, some with criminal records including assault and drug offenses. Noem sharply criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of poor decision-making and suggesting Trump’s intervention was necessary to prevent a repeat of the chaos seen in Minneapolis in 2020 under Governor Tim Walz. She referenced Walz’s delayed response, which left his city ‘burning for days’ before National Guard assistance was requested.

Newsom, in response, deployed the California Highway Patrol to secure highways but insisted their role isn’t to aid federal immigration efforts, calling Trump’s National Guard deployment a ‘spectacle.’ Noem countered that the troops, trained for crowd control, are there to protect peaceful protesters, secure buildings, and maintain law and order—priorities she says are ‘incredibly important’ to the president.

The deployment signals a broader push by the Trump administration to project strength and stability, learning from past unrest to ensure communities don’t spiral into chaos.