California Governor Gavin Newsom and former President Donald Trump had a phone conversation on Saturday that lasted about 40 minutes, according to a spokesperson for Newsom. Details of their discussion have not been released.
Meanwhile, protests in Paramount, California, have been tense but have calmed down somewhat. Clashes between protesters and law enforcement continue, with the air thick with tear gas and smoke near a Home Depot where demonstrations began. Local residents and protesters report that some migrants are afraid to leave nearby businesses due to the unrest.
Paramount has a population that is over 80% Hispanic. A recent White House press release described violent confrontations where mobs allegedly attacked ICE officers conducting deportation operations in Los Angeles. The statement criticized California’s Democratic leaders for not doing enough to protect citizens and announced that President Trump had signed a memorandum to deploy 2,000 National Guardsmen to help restore order.
Thomas Homan, a top ICE official, stated that more resources would be sent to Los Angeles, including the National Guard. He emphasized a "zero tolerance" policy for violence or property damage. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino warned protesters that chaos would not be tolerated, and multiple arrests had already been made for obstructing law enforcement operations.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth mentioned on social media that the National Guard was being mobilized immediately to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles. He also indicated that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton would be on high alert if violence escalated.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported that demonstrations across the city had remained peaceful, commending those who exercised their First Amendment rights responsibly. They assured the public that they were prepared to respond quickly to any potential unrest.
Governor Newsom criticized the federal government’s actions, calling them reckless and cruel. He argued that the federal sweeps were causing chaos and tearing families apart. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed these sentiments, accusing ICE of instilling fear in the community. Federal officials responded, stating that such comments endangered their agents.
Community leaders, like Angelica Salas, expressed concern for families being affected by the ICE operations, stating that the community feels under attack. The President has the authority to deploy the National Guard for certain situations, including suppressing rebellion. However, Newsom condemned the federal government’s decision to take control of the California National Guard as inflammatory, suggesting it would only heighten tensions.
Trump criticized Newsom and Bass on his social media platform, asserting that if they could not manage the situation, the federal government would step in to restore order. The situation in California remains fluid, with ongoing discussions about law enforcement and community safety.