National Guard called in to handle LA riots

Protests over immigration raids are wreaking havoc in Los Angeles, as crowds clash with federal agents using flash-bang grenades. See the photos and video.

Protests over federal immigration raids continue to wreak havoc on Los Angeles with agents wearing riot gear reportedly using flash-bang grenades to clear crowds — as the federal government moves to mobilise the National Guard after claiming LAPD took two hours to respond.

“We’re going to bring the National Guard in tonight. 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,” Tom Homan, Acting Director of US Immigration and Custom Enforcement, said on Fox News.

US President Donald Trump lashed Californian leaders over their handling of the chaotic protests, referring to long-time rival Governor Gavin Newsom as “Newscum”.

The President made the comments ahead of a scheduled appearance at a UFC Ultimate Fighting Championship match in New Jersey.

Demonstrators shout and film at police during a protest in the Paramount section of Los Angeles after federal immigration authorities conducted operations. Picture: AP

At least 2000 members of the National Guard are expected to be deployed across downtown Los Angeles.

The White House issued a statement warning those participating in the aggression against federal officers “carrying out basic deportation operations” would be “arrested and swiftly brought to justice”.

Border Patrol personnel deploy tear gas during a demonstration over the dozens detained in an operation by federal immigration authorities. Picture: AP

“These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

“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 2000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester. The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behaviour and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs.”

A protester attempts to evade a Department of Homeland Security officer after federal immigration authorities conducted an operation. Picture: AP

A protester throws a rock during riots in Los Angeles. Picture: AP

Images and video showed a chaotic scene as hundreds of protesters filled the streets and clashed with federal agents in riot gear attempting to impede apprehensions by Border Patrol in Paramount, California, near a Home Depot hardware store.

The dystopian scene showed the heavily armoured agents firing teargas canisters in order to disperse demonstrators who raged for hours in a messy and tumultuous street takeover.

One violent protester in a face-covering helmet hurled rocks at the windows of cars right outside the super store — cracking some Border Patrol pick-up trucks in the windshield, according to viral video.

Video circulating online showed an American flag on a fire in the middle of the street across from the home improvement store which was mired by demonstrators, Saturday.

Other protesters during the day stood in front of a federal bus to stop in from carrying off alleged illegal immigrants, video on social media showed.

Violent protests began when federal agents raided multiple workplaces in LA’s fashion district and other locations on Saturday, with the conflagrations continuing at the Paramount Home Depot, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.

A protester holds a sign as Border Patrol personnel in riot gear and gas masks stand guard outside an industrial park in the Paramount section of Los Angeles. Picture: AP

The Trump administration ripped into Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass after a violent mob swarmed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers conducting immigration raids in the city — while the Department of Homeland Security claimed local cops waited two hours to help push back the agitators when the trouble started.

Lefty pols like Bass are “villainiz[ing] and demonis[ing ] ICE law enforcement,” leading to the violence that saw roughly 1,000 agitators attack law enforcement officers, deface buildings, slash tires and committing other crimes, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.

A protester stands in front of Los Angeles Police Department officers attempting to disperse a protest after federal immigration authorities conducted an operation. Picture: AP

Los Angeles Police Department officers move to disperse a protest. Picture: AP

“The violent targeting of law enforcement in Los Angeles by lawless rioters is despicable, and Mayor Bass and [California] Governor [Gavin] Newsom must call for it to end,” she added in a statement Saturday.

“The men and women of ICE put their lives on the line to protect and defend the lives of American citizens.”

There’s been a 413% increase in assaults on ICE agents since President Trump took office in January, compared to the same period last year, McLaughlin said.

Images released by DHS Saturday show parts of downtown Los Angeles covered in vulgar graffiti, including “F–K ICE” and “KILL ICE” spray-painted on fences and buildings — as well as a flyer handed out by the Communist group RefuseFascism.org saying “The Trump Fascist Regime MUST GO NOW!!!”

Helmeted LAPD cops in riot gear faced off Friday evening with protesters after a day of federal immigration raids in the city. At least 44 people were arrested.

The Los Angeles Police Department did not return messages.

Law enforcement officers gather as tear gas fills the air during a protest after federal immigration authorities conducted an operation. Picture: AP

A protester pours water over a tear gas canister during a protest after federal immigration authorities conducted an operation. Picture: AP

Los Angeles Police officers gather during a protest after federal immigration authorities conducted an operation. Picture: AP

New York Mayoral candidate and former-governor Andrew Cuomo weighed in on the ICE raids and the protests in both Los Angeles and New York.

“The recent ICE crackdowns in Los Angeles and New York City are a deeply troubling escalation in immigration enforcement tactics that undermine community trust and the principles of due process,” Mr Cuomo said in a statement.

Department of Homeland Security police officers stand during a protest after federal immigration authorities conducted an operation. Picture: AP

A Department of Homeland Security officer reacts after shooting pepper balls during a protest at the U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons. Picture: AP

“I believe in upholding the rule of law and maintaining secure borders, but these operations — marked by military-style raids, the use of flash-bang grenades, and the detention of individuals, including those attempting to document the events — cross a line into cruelty and unnecessary fear mongering,” Mr Cuomo said in the statement.

Hundreds of migrants, including children, were detained by ICE agents Friday, the ACLU said.

The DHS, however, said operations in LA this week have resulted in the arrest of 118 illegal migrants – including five gang members and others with past criminal charges that include drug trafficking, assault, cruelty to children and robbery, according to the DHS.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned “rioters” of prosecution if they “lay a hand” on authorities, while FBI Director Kash Patel responded to comments from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass saying the city “will not stand” for the raids.

“We will,” Mr Patel said.

This article was originally published on the New York Post

Originally published as National Guard called in to handle LA riots