National Guard To Be Deployed To Los Angeles County Amid Day 2 Of Anti-ICE Protests: Federal Official

LOS ANGELES, CA — The National Guard will be sent to Los Angeles County amid a second day of escalating tensions and anti-ICE protests, federal officials say.

Protestors attempting to stifle immigration raids clashed with federal agents as tensions continued to rise across the Los Angeles area on Saturday. Federal immigration agents in riot gear used rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades to try and break up the protests in Paramount, Calif., near a Home Depot later in the afternoon, according to the New York Times.

• Immigration Raids in LA County Spark Violent Protests

Tom Homan, the Trump administration's "border czar" said the National Guard would be sent to Los Angeles as federal officials cracked down on the unrest. In an interview with Fox News, Homan said the troops would be sent Saturday night to the city.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom decried the move by federal government "to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers."

"That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions," he wrote on X Saturday night. "LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice. We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need."

Meanwhile, federal officials said protestors will not slow or deter ICE raids. Kristi Noem, United States Secretary of Homeland Security, warned Los Angeles rioters that if they "lay a hand on a law enforcement officer" they would be "prosecuted to the fullest extent."

This is a developing story. Check back for details.