Donald Trump took decisive action in response to protests in California over immigration enforcement. The protests, which took place on Saturday night, were aimed at the efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and included a mix of peaceful demonstrations and some disruptive activity involving a few hundred people.
Despite the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) describing the protests as largely peaceful, Trump and his administration claimed that immigration agents faced threats and injuries. They argued that local law enforcement was slow to respond to the situation. Homeland Security Secretary Kirsty Noem expressed frustration, saying it was unacceptable for LAPD to wait hours before acting during violent protests.
In a move that drew criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, Trump federalized 2,000 National Guard troops stationed in California. This decision was made to ensure a quicker response to the unrest. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that U.S. Marines were also on standby, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the potential for active-duty military involvement on American soil.
By Sunday morning, Trump was already declaring victory and thanking the National Guard for restoring order, even as the troops were still in the process of assembling. The LAPD maintained that they acted as quickly as possible, dispersing crowds within 55 minutes of receiving a call for assistance.
This incident underscores the ongoing tension between federal and local authorities regarding law enforcement and immigration issues. As the situation unfolded, it raised questions about the balance of power and the use of military resources in domestic matters.