California Lawmakers React to Los Angeles Riots Over ICE Immigration Raids

Protests turned into riots on Saturday in Los Angeles as the unrest over United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immigration raids grew, with Californian lawmakers speaking out against the federal response as well as backing the California National Guard moving in to restore order.

The riots date back to earlier in the week when ICE conducted a series of raids in Los Angeles resulting in 118 illegal immigrants arrested, including 5 who have either criminal histories or are part of criminal organizations. This included 44 arrests on Friday, with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President David Huerta among the most well known person in jail so far. Protests began outside ICE facilities on Thursday, with the number of protests swiftly escalating on Friday and Saturday. These included several protests in and around downtown Los Angeles on Friday and the small city of Paramount on Saturday outside of a Home Depot

Thousands have come out to protest at the events, with many blaming President Donald Trump, shouting slogans against ICE, and waving Mexican flags. Entire intersections have also been shut down, with riots over the ICE arrests beginning to take place. Condemning the actions, President Trump swiftly called out the California National Guard on Saturday, sending 2,000 national guard soldiers into Los Angeles and Paramount to restore order. In addition, Trump threatened to activate Marines at Camp Pendleton to help restore order as well.

“In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on 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. 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. These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice. The Commander-in-Chief will ensure the laws of the United States are executed fully and completely.”

“The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil; a dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK,” added Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on X. “Under President Trump, violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated. It’s COMMON SENSE. The Department of Defense is mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles. And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert.”

Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom harshly criticized the Trump Administration over sending federal troops into LA, saying that their presence would only 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,” said Newsom in a statement. “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.

“The Guard has been admirably serving LA throughout recovery. This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.”

“The Secretary of Defense is now threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens,” added Newsom on X later on Saturday. “This is deranged behavior.”

Trump himself responded close to midnight on Saturday, praising the Californian troops for helping quell protesters  while also admonishing both Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, comparing their actions to their slow response to the Los Angeles wildfires in January.

“Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest,” posted Trump on Truth Social. “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!”

Lawmakers from across California had a mix of responses to both the riots and the federal response on Saturday. Some, like Mayor Bass, criticized the federal response, saying that the LAPD could have handled it.

“I’m concerned that the federal government has nationalized the national guard and we could have troops in our city,” said Bass. “I do not believe that it’s called for because I am confident LAPD and other law enforcement in Los Angeles can handle things in Los Angeles.”

“The dangerous escalation of the tactics being used across Los Angeles undermines trust between our immigrant communities and government, and makes us all less safe,” wrote Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto. “Immigrants are our family members, our neighbors, our coworkers, and our classmates and raids such as these do nothing but bring fear to our neighborhoods and our residents. All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to constitutional protections including due process and equal protection.”

Meanwhile, others pointed out that the federal response was justified and that the raids stemmed more from Sanctuary policies in the state. Others also continued to praise the California National Guards actions, with some noting that Trump gave a rare compliment about California in approving of them.

“California Republicans had a solution in our Senate Bill 554, but the ‘Sanctuary City’ crowd brought this on themselves by prohibiting state and local law enforcement from cooperating with the Feds to identify violent illegal immigrants in prisons and jails,” explained Senator Brian Jones (R-San Diego). “Now the Feds have to run broader raids, like what we’re seeing in LA, which sweep up way more people. This whole thing was easily preventable,” said Leader Jones.

“In April, Democrats on the Senate Public Safety Committee blocked Senate Bill 554, the Safety Before Criminal Sanctuary Act. SB 554 would have required local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities for illegal immigrants convicted of serious and violent felonies including rape, child molestation, armed robbery, DUIs, human trafficking, and drug trafficking.

“Current law simply allows – but does not require – local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities if they reach out seeking the transfer of individuals convicted of certain serious crimes. When law enforcement chooses not to cooperate, federal agents are often forced to conduct dangerous at-large raids in neighborhoods instead of making arrests safely in jails.”

“The Right to assemble and protest does not include a license to attack law enforcement officers, or to impede and obstruct our lawful immigration operations,” explained FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. “The days of chaos ruling the streets are over. Either obey the law, or go to jail, there’s no third option.”

While the riots quelled down somewhat on Saturday night and early Sunday morning, with National Guard troops now being deployed, it is unknown if Sunday will turn out to be a day of the riots growing or receding in the city.