President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to the Los Angeles area after protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids escalated into riots over the weekend. ICE began the raids Friday, and agitators took to the streets in downtown Los Angeles and Paramount, Calif. Democrats condemned both the ICE raids and the National Guard response to the riots. “In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE officers and federal law enforcement agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a news release Saturday. “These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States. In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.” “That is why President Trump has signed a presidential memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that 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.” Fox News circulated a video of agitators driving motorcycles around a burning car amid the protests. One of the motorcyclists waves a Mexican flag amid the mayhem. These rioters proudly fly foreign flags while burning American cities.The United States is a nation of laws, and lawbreakers will be brought to justice. https://t.co/7Whtz8iRyf— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 8, 2025 Leavitt posted photos showing graffiti reading “death to ICE” and agitators in the streets. Left-wing radicals waving foreign flags are viciously attacking ICE and Border Patrol agents and obstructing official law enforcement activities in Los Angeles. Democrats refuse to condemn this despicable behavior but this will NOT be tolerated by the Trump Administration.… pic.twitter.com/JFzrVhOfjk— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) June 8, 2025 The Department of Homeland Security posted more photos of the mayhem. Violence and intimidation against federal law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. These violent rioters are fighting against LAW and ORDER. pic.twitter.com/v9AbiubvEL— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 8, 2025 The Los Angeles Police Department stated in a news release that “demonstrations” in the city “remained peaceful.” The department said it “appreciates the cooperation of organizers, participants, and community partners who helped ensure public safety throughout the city.” LAPD News: Los Angeles Police Department Statement Regarding Today's Peaceful Protests pic.twitter.com/Il8RMlytx4— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) June 8, 2025 Democrats Condemn ICE, National Guard Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the ICE raids on Friday. “This morning, we received reports of federal immigration enforcement actions in multiple locations in Los Angeles,” she wrote. “As mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city.” “My office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations,” she added. “We will not stand for this.” We will not stand for this. pic.twitter.com/Ug1CN4JKOz— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 6, 2025 The Department of Homeland Security, likely in response to this criticism, released a list of six illegal alien criminals whom authorities detained Saturday. The list included a Vietnamese citizen who DHS said has been convicted of second-degree murder and a Philippine citizen who DHS said has been convicted of rape. America’s brave ICE officers are removing the worst of the worst from LA’s streets, while LA’s leaders are working tirelessly against them.?Here are just a few removed from the community yesterday.— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 8, 2025 Amid the violence against ICE, Bass called the “reports of unrest outside the city… deeply concerning.” She warned that “violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable.” Yet when Trump deployed the National Guard into Los Angeles Sunday, Bass condemned this move as a “chaotic escalation.” She urged protesters to “remain peaceful,” but reiterated that “Los Angeles will always stand with everyone who calls our city home.” This morning, President Trump deployed the National Guard into Los Angeles.Deploying federalized troops on the heels of these raids is a chaotic escalation. The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real – it’s felt in our communities and within our families…— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 8, 2025 Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., also condemned Trump’s move as “purposefully inflammatory” and likely to “escalate tensions.” The federal government is moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers. That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice. We are in close…— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 8, 2025 Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., took to the street to protest as National Guard troops arrived. “I want to know why they’re here with guns,” Waters told a Los Angeles Times reporter. “Who they conna shoot? There’s no reason to shoot anybody, even if there are protests.” Trump Celebrates Return to Order President Trump thanked the National Guard for bringing order to the streets Sunday. “Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest,” he posted on Truth Social. He called Gov. Newsom and Mayor Bass “incompetent” and “unable to handle the task.” Trump also stated that “MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why???” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemned Newsom, saying that if the governor had done his job, “people wouldn’t have gotten hurt the last couple of days.” “We’re not going to let a repeat of 2020 happen,” she added, mentioning the Black Lives Matter riots that claimed at least 26 lives and resulted in between $1 billion and $2 billion in paid insurance claims. Noem noted that a federal law enforcement officer had suffered a shattered wrist during the violence. If @GavinNewsom was doing his job our ICE agents would not be injured and attacked while doing their jobs and carrying out immigration enforcement.Under the leadership of @POTUS Trump we will put the safety of American citizens FIRST not these criminal illegal aliens that… pic.twitter.com/XWK1EtsXKI— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) June 8, 2025 The post Trump Deploys National Guard to Los Angeles Amid Riots Against ICE appeared first on The Daily Signal.