The riots quickly became violent, with damage to ICE vehicles, looting in local stores and arson in the city streets
Law enforcement responded with tear gas, batons, and flash bangs, and some demonstrators were detained.
The Department of Homeland Security claimed there were around 1,000 rioters.
“Now they know that they cannot go to anywhere in this country where our people are and try to kidnap our workers… without an organized and fierce resistance,” said protester Ron Gochez, 44.
Trump’s National Guard Deployment Sparks Political Backlash
In response to the unrest, Trump signed a presidential memorandum deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles, stating the move was necessary to “address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.”
“If Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass can’t do their jobs, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
