In Los Angeles, the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has vowed to persist with the immigration enforcement initiated by the Trump administration despite widespread protests sweeping across the nation.
Later in the day, a judge ordered President Trump to restore California’s control over National Guard troops he had deployed amid the immigration backlashes. However, this decision was swiftly halted by an appeals court, which temporarily blocked the order set to come into effect by Friday. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled a hearing on the issue for the upcoming Tuesday.
According to the federal court’s temporary restraining directive, the deployment of the National Guard was deemed unlawful, breaching the Tenth Amendment and extending beyond the presidential powers of Donald Trump. The directive was specifically geared towards the National Guard, sparing the Marines from any ruling as they had not yet been mobilized on the ground.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who previously sought the emergency cessation of the military’s participation in immigration raids, lauded the initial judicial order, stating, “Today marked a triumph for democracy.” He further voiced plans to have the Guard personnel revert to their prior roles before being commandeered by Trump.
Conversely, a White House representative, Anna Kelly, defended the president’s actions, asserting that they were within the legal framework of his jurisdiction, and criticized the federal judge’s decision for potentially endangering federal agents. According to Kelly, the district court lacks the authority to contest the president’s command as the nation’s military leader.
These legal exchanges unfolded while protests, ignited by the crackdown on immigration, kept escalating in cities nationwide, with larger demonstrations anticipated to follow over the weekend against President Trump’s actions.
During a news conference, Noem declared that the immigration raids prompting the protests would continue unaffected, specifying that enforcement agencies had an extensive list of targets. “These actions won’t cease until tranquility prevails on the streets of Los Angeles,” she mentioned. Her speech was, however, interrupted by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla—a Californian Democrat—who was removed post his disruption.
Governor Newsom has voiced concerns, asserting that Trump’s military mobilization forms part of a larger ambition to overturn foundational norms of U.S. democracy. He also noted that the deployment of Guard troops for immigration raids intensified tensions in Los Angeles.
The protests have been primarily concentrated around downtown, particularly near City Hall and a federal detention center housing immigrants, with much of the expansive city escaping major disturbances. During an 8 p.m. curfew, Los Angeles police apprehended several demonstrators who defied dispersal orders, and earlier in the evening, flash bangs were used by Homeland Security officers to break up crowds gathered near the detention center.
While such confrontations occurred, overall, the demonstrations have been predominantly peaceful and spirited, attracting hundreds who roamed downtown, dancing, chanting, and jestingly criticizing Trump’s portrayal of the area as a “war zone.”
Protests have also sprung in numerous major cities across the U.S., leading to confrontations with law enforcement and hundreds of arrests. Noem acknowledged the LA raids as a potential “blueprint” for other areas, indicating that federal enforcement won’t recede soon. Despite challenges, including officers being assaulted, she emphasized that those infringing U.S. laws would face repercussions, irrespective of citizenship or group membership.
Following Senator Padilla’s interruption, Noem denounced the conduct as improper, although the two engaged in a brief conversation afterwards. Padilla commented that he merely sought clarity on “aggressive immigration enforcement” and was reportedly handcuffed briefly but not formally detained.
He expressed concern over how the administration might be treating workers like farm laborers and day laborers if this is the response a senator receives.
As tension mounts, the administration indicated a readiness to deploy troops to other urban centers, fulfilling Trump’s prior campaign promises. Major General Scott Sherman, overseeing the operation, announced that about 2,000 Guard soldiers were currently stationed in LA, with an additional contingent of 2,000 personnel and 700 Marines expected soon.
Of these Guard troops, approximately 500 were designated to collaborate with immigration agents. While the Guard can temporarily detain individuals attacking officers, arrests are exclusively handled by law enforcement.
Facing potential expanded federal intervention, state governors are grappling with decisions on troop deployments. Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott has reserved 5,000 National Guard members for potential mobilization in response to planned protests. However, other Republican governors have withheld detailed deployment strategies.
On the contrary, several Democratic governors have criticized Trump’s troop deployments as an “alarming abuse of power.”
In Los Angeles, nearly 470 individuals have been arrested since Saturday, predominantly for not dispersing as instructed by the police, with a few serious charges also surfacing, including assaults on officers and unlawful possession of weapons. Nine officers have reportedly sustained minor injuries throughout the unrest.