Tensions Escalate in Los Angeles Amid Protests Against National Guard Deployment
By Eri Thayer, Jason Dearen, and Jake Offenhartz, The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Demonstrations intensified in Los Angeles on Sunday as thousands protested President Donald Trump’s controversial deployment of the National Guard. The situation escalated into clashes between protesters and law enforcement, resulting in blocked highways and the destruction of autonomous vehicles. Authorities responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs to disperse the crowds.
The protests, now in their third day, were fueled by fears surrounding immigration enforcement, particularly following a series of federal raids in the region. Around 300 National Guard members, stationed primarily to protect federal facilities such as a detention center, faced vocal dissent from demonstrators at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles. Chants like "shame" and "go home" reverberated through the streets as tensions flared.
Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the Guard’s deployment as a "serious breach of state sovereignty," asserting it was exacerbating the unrest. "What we’re seeing in Los Angeles is chaos provoked by the administration," added Mayor Karen Bass. Trump defended the action, citing inadequate responses by local officials to curb protests against immigration agents.
While the recent protests remained smaller than those in past events where the National Guard was present, this deployment marked a notable shift, as it occurred without a request from the governor—an unprecedented move since 1965.
Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused protesters of undermining public safety, emphasizing support for law enforcement. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of potential deployments of active-duty Marines should violence persist.
As the situation unfolds, the divide between local officials and the federal government deepens, raising questions about the balance of powers amid escalating civil unrest.
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