LOS ANGELES — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday denounced President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy thousands of National Guard troops to quell pro-immigrant demonstrators in the Los Angeles area, calling the action “purposefully inflammatory.”
The Democrat’s remarks came after Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, told Fox News that the administration planned to send National Guard troops to the area.
In a statement, Newsom said Trump was moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers, which the governor said would “only escalate tensions” after protestors confronted immigration agents making raids on local businesses. Trump’s move came without Newsom’s signature, presumably by invoking Title 10, the legal basis for activating and mobilizing the Guard.
In a social media post, Trump said, “If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
The standoff in Paramount, a small city in southeast Los Angeles County, marks the second consecutive day of clashes in the region over high-profile immigration raids. At least 44 people were arrested on Friday on suspicion of immigration violations.
Among those arrested was the president of the labor union SEIU California, David Huerta, whose injuries during his detainment required brief hospitalization and set off a wave of condemnation from California Democratic officials, including Newsom. A video of Huerta’s arrest showed officers knocking the labor union leader to the ground.
In Paramount, federal agents in riot gears squared off against protestors, using tear gas and flash-bang grenades to disperse the crowds.
Homan told Fox News that while people had a First Amendment right to protest, there would be consequences for “crossing the line” and impeding ICE’s operations.
“We’re already ahead of the game. We’re already mobilizing. We’re going to bring in the National Guard tonight,” he said. “We’re going to continue doing our job. We’re going to push back on these people and we’re going to enforce the law.”
Newsom, in his statement, said such federal intervention was unnecessary.
“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,” Newsom said. “The Guard has been admirably serving LA throughout recovery. This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.”
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