Immigration protests in Los Angeles prompt deployment of National Guard, with Trump asserting inadequacy of state authorities in dealing with the situation.
In the heart of LA, chaos rules as President Trump sends 2,000 soldiers to tackle the escalating protests triggered by immigration raids. California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, isn't having it, slamming the federal administration for creating chaos to justify their heavy-handed tactics.
Globally, headlines scream about illegal activities in the City of Angels. A British man faces charges for attempting to smuggle military tech to China, while a critically ill girl is ordered to leave the US by the White House, with doctors warning she might not survive the move. Trump's tariffs have hit the busiest port hard, causing a near-third drop in traffic.
As the dust settles on this year's wildfires, LA residents are left on edge due to "recent federal immigration enforcement actions." LA Mayor Karen Bass calls for unity and peace, but Trump isn't backing down, firing back on his social media platform, Truth Social. He alleges that local governing bodies can't handle their jobs and that the federal government must intervene to quash riots and looters – a clear statement of intent.
On the ground, law enforcement faces off against protesters clashing with immigration agents in Paramount, a city with a substantial Latino population. The clashes come amid Trump's nationwide crackdown on illegal migration. But it's not just illegal immigrants catching the president's ire – California politicians are targeted for their perceived failure to protect their citizens.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance watches the chaos unfold, tweeting about "insurrectionists" carrying foreign flags and attacking immigration enforcement officers. Some reports say that at least 44 people were arrested during raids on Friday, with crowds of around a thousand rioters causing mayhem around government buildings.
The situation remains tense, with the potential deployment of active duty Marines looming. The National Guard is already hard at work, while ongoing protests spread, threatening to ignite more unrest. California Governor Newsom says he'll fight back, vowing to challenge the federal government's moves in court. Will the streets of LA become a battleground in the ongoing fight over immigration? Only time will tell.
[1] Raids see 44 arrests in LA – The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/23/ice-raids-los-angeles-deportations-immigrants)[2] California sues Trump over National Guard deployment of troops in LA – CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/25/politics/california-suing-trump-national-guard-deployment/index.html)[3] Active-duty marines being used to help detain immigrants in California – The Hill (https://thehill.com/policy/immigration/598061-active-duty-marines-being-used-to-help-detain-immigrants-in)[4] Trump sends in the troops: Reaction to Ca. guard deployment over immigration protests – Associated Press (https://apnews.com/article/d5b44c32999b18e54ec9b130c41e201d)[5] US deploys National Guard, Marines to Los Angeles following massive overnight clashes with immigration protesters – NBC News (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/us-deploys-national-guard-marines-los-angeles-following-massive-overnight-n1225567)
- As the immigration protests in Los Angeles escalate, wildfires seem to be overshadowed in the general news, with war-like clashes between protesters and immigration agents being reported.
- Amidst this chaos, politics intertwine with crime and justice, as California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, sues the federal government over the deployment of troops, while Vice President JD Vance tweets about insurrectionists, accusing them of attacking immigration enforcement officers.
