Reeling from widespread and harsh ICE raids and responding protests and resistance over the past 24 hours, Los Angeles has become a powder keg with Donald Trump set to deploy 2,000 California National Guard troops.
As rock throwing and bellowing Angelenos sought to stop undocumented individuals being targeted by masked and heavily armored federal agents at a Home Depot in Paramount, California and LA’s Westlake neighborhood today, Trump took to social media to announce a de facto takeover of the City of Angeles “If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
Quickly backed up by local and regional politicians, Gov. Gavin Newsom quickly confirmed and condemned Trumps troop action.
“That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions,” the Democrat and Trump foil said of the federal “takeover” of the state National Guard. “LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice. We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need. The Guard has been admirably serving LA throughout recovery. This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.”
Praising his old boss, Senator Alex Padilla added: “The Trump Administration is just sowing more chaos and division in our communities.”
Raids in LA’s Fashion District and other place in DTLA on Friday saw hastily organized responses as protestors filmed the round-ups, leap in front of government vans and even attacked the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and United States Courthouse where ICE agents had taken the over 100 people that had taken into custody. Among those hit to the ground by federal agents and taken off was SEIU labor leader David Huerta, which led to an outpoaring of support from unions and guilds all over the state and nation — though Hollywood guilds SAG-AFTRA and the WGA have been silent so far.
With all that going down, it was the gas shooting LAPD who should up Friday night to clear the area around the Roybal and get out the trapped ICE staff – or at least tried to. This was despite the insistence of Mayor Bass and the LAPD chief that the police wouldn’t be getting involved
Looking more and more like a set-up, Trump’s move came just a few hours after his Deportation chief Tom Homan went on Fox News to warn LA what was coming if the street weren’t emptied ASAP. “We’re going to bring National Guard in tonight,” he said, echoing various administration officials and cabinets secretaries. “We’re going to continue doing our job. We’re going to push back on these people, and we’re going to enforce the law.”
Governor Newsom’s pushback remark on Trump bringing 2,000 troops into LA was only the latest escalation of tension he has with the White House. After CNN reported that the Trump administration was preparing to punish the state by withholding federal funds, Newsom issued a statement and video pointing out that California tax dollars subsidize other states. He also threatened to cut off that flow of tax dollars to the federal government.
As Blackhawk helicopters were reported to offloading weapons on Saturday evening near a DHS facility in a calming Compton, the White House put out another statement justifying its actions. “In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California,” said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Claiming “lawlessness has been allowed to fester,” Leavitt added: “The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs. These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice. The Commander-in-Chief will ensure the laws of the United States are executed fully and completely.”
Ted Johnson contributed to this report
