CalMatters
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By Nigel Duara, Jeanne Kuang and Sergio Olmos
Hundreds of California National Guard soldiers are deployed in downtown Los Angeles in an escalation of the Trump administration’s rolling immigration enforcement action throughout Southern California.
Their deployment comes over the objections of California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, who say that local law enforcement agencies are more than capable of keeping the peace in the city. He sent a letter on Sunday afternoon to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requesting that the administration withdraw the troops and questioning the legality of their deployment. The National Guard is usually called in at the request of a state’s governor; a president has not deployed troops without a governor’s requests since 1965.
“There is currently no need for the National Guard to be deployed in Los Angeles, and to do so in this unlawful manner and for such a lengthy period is a serious breach of state sovereignty that seems intentionally designed to inflame the situation,” Newsom’s legal affairs secretary, David Sapp, wrote in the letter.
The governor had previously spoken to Trump on the phone for about 40 minutes on Friday night, a spokesperson said.
This morning, rifle-toting National Guard soldiers patrolled a federal building downtown. They also brought heavy military vehicles.
Tensions intensified by midafternoon, when a protesters neared the complex. Los Angeles Police Department officers pushed them away from the building and fired dozens of less-than-lethal rounds into the crowd.
The deployment followed two days of unrest after immigration sweeps downtown and in the city of Paramount. In one incident, officers arrested David Huerta, the leader of a California janitors’ union, who was protesting a raid. He remains in custody.
Trump’s order deploying the troops cited “incidents of violence and disorder” following immigration enforcement actions and the Border Patrol on social media has called attention to an incident in which someone threw rocks at their vehicles in Paramount, breaking a window.
After the raids, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement published a list of what they called “the worst of the worst” offenders caught in the immigration raids. The release also accused “California politicians and rioters” of “defending heinous illegal alien criminals.”
The escalation could be a turning point for a state where Democratic politicians had started the year fairly quiet on Trump’s immigration crackdowns, at least compared to his first time in office. With the state facing a multibillion-dollar budget deficit, lawmakers and Newsom were antsy about losing federal funding, and Newsom especially was depending on a relatively harmonious relationship with the federal government to secure aid for Los Angeles wildfire recovery.
But California Democrats have since struck a more defiant tone.
Last week they advanced numerous bills to discourage warrantless ICE visits to hospitals, schools and shelters. Over the weekend, they condemned the raids and sided with protesters, especially after federal agents arrested prominent union president Huerta on Friday during a clash with protesters outside an immigration raid of a garment company’s warehouse.
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, a Salinas Democrat, called the raids “an authoritarian assault on our immigrant communities.”
“We will not allow (Los Angeles) to become a staging ground for political terror,” he wrote in a statement.
His counterpart in the state Senate, Healdsburg Democrat Mike McGuire, said the National Guard deployment “reeks of fascism.”
Bill Essayli, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California – which includes Los Angeles – told KNBC-TV that immigration enforcement agents were under duress while conducting raids in Paramount and Compton.
“You have thousands of people forming and gathering in crowds, rioting, attacking our agents, throwing rocks, throwing eggs, throwing Molotov cocktails,” Essayli told the news station.
Marissa Nuncio, director of the Los Angeles-based Garment Worker Center, said garment workers were reeling after immigration enforcement agents detained 20 of them in a raid at Ambiance Apparel in the city’s Fashion District on Friday. The amassing of troops downtown made her members worry about a second raid.
The Garment Worker Center held a know-your-rights seminar on Saturday, one day after the raid.
Attendees “wanted to know, how can we stop this,” Nuncio said. “How can we resist these attacks on our community? They wanted to know if it’s safe to go to work, to go to church, to go to the clinic.”
Garment workers are particularly vulnerable because they are often employed in illegal production facilities that pop up and then disappear overnight. They’re paid by the piece, usually 5 cents to 12 cents per piece of clothing, a controversial practice that has drawn scrutiny from the Legislature.
Their weekly take-home pay is about $300, or $5.50 per hour, paid in cash.
“We feel the best we can do is inform workers of what’s going on,” Nuncio said, “and remind them that they have power in their rights.”
CalMatters reporters Joe Garcia contributed to this story.
We shouldn’t be giving trump an excuse to declare martial law. Oh well. I can only hope he doesn’t…
And more christo-fascism:
NY Times “Southern Baptists plan to vote this week on acting to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage 10 years ago this month.
The step is part of a growing effort by evangelicals nationwide to reverse Obergefell, and coincides with a renewed campaign in state legislatures to challenge the widely accepted view that same-sex marriage has become an established civil right.
While the Southern Baptist Convention has long opposed gay marriage, the vote at its annual meeting in Dallas will be the first time that the largest Protestant denomination in America will ask representatives of its tens of thousands of member churches to work to end it.
Conservative Christian activists hope to build on their movement’s success in overturning Roe v. Wade, the now-defunct Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion, in 2022, and to apply the legal and political strategies that proved effective for that victory. Public support for legal gay marriage remains high, with more than two-thirds of American adults supporting it. As with abortion, activists hope to gain political power despite their minority viewpoints.”
Southern Baptists, whose faith includes over 12 million members in the US, have endorsed a ban to end same-sex marriage in America.
Sheesh, just live and let live!!
Hypocrisy seems to be an integral part of religion and conservatism.
If, as Gov Newsom claims, “the local police are capable of keeping the peace”, why aren’t they?
OOPS – they did. Sure, it got more violent once the guard were sent in, but that is known to happen when someone escalates like that. There was never any looting, the “rioting” didn’t happen until Trump sent in the military.
The local LE was handling it effectively until Trump escalated tensions.
Re: the looting – my bad, I guess there was some reports of looting overnight. I hadn’t read the news yet today.
Either way, it’s very clear to all that once the Guard was sent in, things got much more heated. Friday and Saturday were well managed by the LAPD and other local agencies.
sac, That’s not factual. The rioting was there prior to the NG being deployed.
RESIDENT – No, you are not correct. Look at the timeline. The NG wasn’t there until Sunday morning. The Friday and Saturday protests were pretty much peaceful. One burning car and loud and angry protesters (is there any other kind?) does not a “riot” make.
It was decidedly more violent on Sunday as people revolted against the presence of the military, as was expected.
And again, the NG really did nothing but stand there and piss everyone off even more by their likely unlawful and fascist presence. The 300 troops did nothing but stand guard at a couple buildings. They weren’t needed at all.
LA has some pretty capable cops of all agencies and they did a great job of keeping it from getting much worse. This was no Watts, no 1992 riots, not even the BLM riots. These were sporadic and only got violent on Sunday.
Facts. Important.
They are. They had zero need of National Guard, who really didn’t do s***. Keep eating up that fascist playbook though, they manufacture a crisis and then they use force.
Trump wants the biggest riots possible and he wants dead protesters. And after he gets dead protesters they will fake criminal histories and claim that Federal violence is solving a crime problem.
They are. They had zero need of National Guard, who really didn’t do anything and were entirely unnecessary. Keep eating up that fascist playbook though, they manufacture a crisis and then they use force. Trump wants the biggest riots possible and he wants dead protesters. And after he gets dead protesters they will fake criminal histories and claim that Federal violence is solving a crime problem.
oops – During an interview the LAPD Chief said his personnel were outnumbered in an attempt to control the demonstrators. I’d say being numbered in this situation is the primary reason police are unable to do their job of keeping the peace.
BS, as usual, from Droolie.
Mexican Demonstrators have to stop waving Mexican flags and start waving American flags. Try waving an American flag during a demonstration in Mexico!
Agreed. That already classic photo of a man on a motorcycle with a large Mexican flag and billows of black smoke behind him is an instant Republican advertisement.
You sound ridiculous and elderly. Take a nap grandpa.
I understand why they are doing it. They are being profiled and their family members kidnapped by men in masks BECAUSE of their national and ethnic backgrounds.
That being said, I believe they should all be flying the California flag.
That would be good, the CA flag. I think some poor tactics have already been used in this battle. As Newsom and others have said, don’t give Trump the excuse he’s looking for to escalate — he’ll get to martial law too quickly. But that won’t stop the violent portion of the protests; there’s no stopping that.
The rain of rocks, scooters and road signs onto the police vehicles on the 101 was pretty bad, and the burning of the Waymo cars, because they film everything. I feel for the guys without masks filmed breaking the cars’ windows. Oh trump will order everyone wearing masks arrested, too…
Good gods I hate this timeline
They should fly upside down American flags. California is under attack.
Yeah, plus who will make the cheap, illegal garments using underpaid, exploited laborers? This ain’t right Surfer! Let’s do a paddle-out!
Great idea Paul! Let’s crack down on American businesses who exploit workers and set a livable minimum wage for all. Let’s arrest and charge business owners in every sector who do this, they’re breaking the law! So glad to hear you’re on the same side as progressive values to create a robust and equitable economy to boost the middle class.
I agree we can’t allow employers to take advantage of illegal immigrant workers…and that’s MY point, not yours. You joke, but hell no – we shouldn’t be allowing employers in any industry to hire illegal immigrants. Prices will go up? Of course. But it’s the right thing to do. Tighten up your belt and get ready to wait o a few more years to buy that brand new cell phone. Tons of American citizens who work little or not at all can’t get off their butts and get a real job. Our minimum wages are fine currently. “Livable” is a funny term. Econ 101 is taught out there at UCSB. Check it out!
You would obviously have the business owners arrested and the illegal immigrants they employ have zero repercussions. Makes no sense at all.
You don’t know how to read.
Yeah, Basic, let’s cheer while armed, masked men with no discernible identification of any kind unconstitutionally grab people on the street because they “look illegal.”
So amusing that you concern troll around exploitation of labor–you one hundred percent do not give a single F. I can at least respect the openly racist fans of this for being honest. Unlike you.
Alex, I couldn’t care less about what you think. Pure junk.
Says the guy who has never been right about anything ever here.
You’re plastic bro. And every time you see my username your teeny little rabbit heart contracts. Ignore me.
Alex – What’s your thought about those demonstrators on the street committing crimes while wearing masks? They want to mask their identity to keep from being arrested. Law enforcement personnel wear a mask to conceal their identity in order to keep their families safe. Which masked person on the street during these demonstrations do you side with?
DOOLITTLE – most protesters in masks are protecting themselves from tear gas and other fumes that occur when militarized police start attacking otherwise peaceful protestors.
Their families wouldn’t be unsafe if they were obeying the law and not acting like the SS.
The ones wearing masks and trampling on the constitution are the ones trying to suppress valid protests.
I side with justice and human rights, Doulie. You side with kleptocratic fascist billionaires. I’m good with that.
What are “illegal garments,” Paul?
Newsome wanted this to escalate just to draw attention to himself, and LAPD was not effective.
Trump beat him to containing the rioters, and is shutting it down, and dirt bag Newsome does not like it.
When burning American flags while waving another nations flag is alarming.
America first, if you don’t like it – leave. Simple.
Fascist BS. And who is this Newsome that the low-information types here rant about?
Hysterical, literally nothing you have stated here is true.
KAPO – You’re 100% verifiably WRONG.
The situation was under control before Trump broke the law and forced troops in.
Heck, even Trump himself accidentally recognized it when he posted to congratulate the NG for bringing things under control BEFORE THEY WERE EVEN THERE. The LA mayor had to remind him in his 3am adderall fueled rant that the Guard hadn’t even arrived yet.
So no, the Guard did NOTHING to shut it down, but made it worse.
And waving flags of other countries? People showing solidarity for other cultures and nationalities is what made America Great! We’re not all white bootlickers like you.
Here, POGO, read it for yourself:
“Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest. We have an incompetent Governor (Newscum) and Mayor (Bass) who were, as usual (just look at how they handled the fires, and now their VERY SLOW PERMITTING disaster. Federal permitting is complete!), unable to to handle the task. These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT BE TOLERATED. Also, from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why??? Again, thank you to the National Guard for a job well done!
17k
ReTruths
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Jun 07, 2025, 11:41 PM”
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114646378582957392
Note the date. The NG was deployed into LA on June 8.
Trump was congratulating the City of LA and he didn’t even know it, the brainless fool that he is.
well….the majority of americans did vote for this, so…..
CENTRIST – no they didn’t. The majority of Americans actually voted AGAINST Trump.
How many times can you low-information yokels keep trotting out that fallacy?
The orange moron got a plurality of the vote, not a majority, and only a pitiful percentage of the populace even voted.
FAFO
The left is so far left they can’t see straight on this one. And it’s been that way for years. The a$$ party is literally melting itself down. For what? Supporting illegal immigration, sweatshops, criminals, riots, burning American flags, guys playing against girls in sports, diluting American education, DEI rants, wokeism, and hating on law enforcement? The list goes on and on.
Ouch.
You’re on the wrong side of history here. Bummer for your descendents
I shudder to think…..
BASIC – No one supports those things. You’re being simple. Honestly, no other word for it.
“Hating on law enforcement” while you support releasing over 600 CONVICTED violent, cop-beating criminals into our community…. yeah that makes sense coming from the party of the uneducated.
Do you really not understand why so many are pissed off?
Why do you support ICE detaining and deporting people with NO CRIMINAL RECORDS to prisons in other countries without their Constitutional right to due process? WHY?
Why do you support harassing, arresting and deporting hard working, tax paying and otherwise law abiding undocumented workers? Why?
What an ignorant diatribe. But, par for the course for Dok.
Phew, look at all that big, big, mad. As a Doctor, you should know that I recently saw a study which makes me concerned for your health. It looked at mortality projections for people who could quickly name six to ten things happening in politics that infuriated them. The study found an increased risk of death by stroke or heart attack of close to eight percent over two years. You’re checking a lot of angry boxes, you should really try and find a way to calm down.
Plot twist–that’s a fake study, but you’re a fake doctor, so maybe it still has meaning.
A different point of view on this if you are willing to look at the facts.
Yeah, you two should do that – look at the facts. You’ll see how ludicrous your point is.
https://indivisiblesb.org/no-kings-day/
Indivisible Santa Barbara invites you to join us this Saturday, June 14th, as we assemble along Cabrillo Blvd and then stand shoulder to shoulder in a nonviolent demonstration all along Cabrillo Blvd. from 10:30am to noon, to loudly proclaim that in America, we don’t put up with would-be kings.
Time:
June 14, 2025
10:30am-12pm
Location:
Cabrillo Blvd between Calle Cesar Chavez and Castillo St.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP! https://indivisiblesb.org/no-kings-day/