Violence and chaos swept through downtown Los Angeles over the weekend as immigration enforcement operations triggered widespread riots. Federal agents faced attacks, government vehicles were destroyed, and businesses were looted as unrest spiraled out of control.
In response, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of approximately 2,000 California National Guard troops after both Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass declined to intervene. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also placed an additional 500 U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton on standby.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris sharply criticized the move, calling it an unnecessary escalation. “Los Angeles is my home, and like so many Americans, I am appalled at what we are witnessing,” she said in a statement. “Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos.”
Harris condemned the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy, describing it as “a cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division.” She further insisted that the demonstrations were “mostly peaceful,” despite reports of assaults on law enforcement personnel and extensive property damage.
