LA protests: What to know as the National Guard mobilizes

Federal immigration sweeps in Los Angeles have prompted days of fiery protests and sparked a dispute between the state and federal government over how to respond. The big picture: President Trump signed a memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the protests, the White House announced Saturday, in a move that California Gov. Gavin Newsom said was meant to create "a spectacle." "The federal government is moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers," Newsom, a Democrat, said in a statement. "That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions."The latest: Approximately 300 members of the California National Guard's 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were deployed to three separate locations in the greater Los Angeles area Sunday, according to an X post from U.S. Northern Command.Los Angeles Police Department officers are also deployed and are monitoring activity in the Civic Center area of Los Angeles, per the LAPD Central Division.Driving the news: Activists called for a "mass mobilization" on Sunday, with the LA branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation sharing a post with the caption, "NATIONAL GUARD GO AWAY! ICE OUT OF LA!"Three peaceful demonstrations were occurring as of Sunday morning local time, per a police statement.Here's what we know about the protests and response:Why are there protests in LA?Late last week, protesters in Los Angeles and nearby cities took to the streets to push back on several immigration enforcement actions in the area.The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that ICE operations in LA last week resulted in the arrest of 118 immigrants. The AP reported that ICE officers executed search warrants at various spots, including outside a clothing warehouse where a tense encounter between protesters and agents occurred.While the LAPD commended peaceful protesters, some demonstrations descended into chaotic clashes, where authorities deployed non-lethal ammunition, pepper balls and tear gas.What they're saying: ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said in a Saturday statement that more than 1,000 rioters surrounded a federal building in LA, and that it took the LAPD two hours to respond.The LAPD said in a statement it "mobilized and acted as swiftly as conditions safely allowed," noting that "irritants" deployed by federal agents created a "hazardous environment" for officers.A Saturday demonstration in Paramount, a largely Latino community south of LA, was marked by tear gas and billowing smoke.Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), who represents Paramount, said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that the protest began because people believed immigration officials were going to go after day laborers at a nearby Home Depot. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said in a statement that the "crowd of protesters became increasingly agitated, throwing objects and exhibiting violent behavior toward federal agents and deputy sheriffs."Barragán said she was advised to prepare for 30 days of ICE enforcement."There's a way to do targeted ICE enforcement," she said. "It's been done for a long time. And that's when you're going after criminals. And that is not what's happening."How has the Trump administration responded?Trump's Border czar Tom Homan told NBC News late Saturday that immigration enforcement will continue "every day" in LA and did not rule out whether Newsom or LA Mayor Karen Bass could be arrested should they obstruct law enforcement.Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Saturday that if "violence continues," Marines at Camp Pendleton could also be mobilized.Friction point: Newsom described Hegseth's suggestion that the Marines could become involved as "deranged."But House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on ABC News' "This Week" he doesn't think mobilizing active-duty Marines would be "heavy-handed.""We have to be prepared to do what is necessary, and I think the notice that might happen might have the deterring effect," he said.Yes, but: Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) told CNN's Dana Bash Sunday he doesn't think action from the Marines will be "necessary." Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday that "active-duty Marines are not going to be put into local law enforcement.""They would be in support roles on it, as we have at the border," he said.What do LA officials say?Bass, a Democrat, said in a Sunday statement that deploying the National Guard into LA on the heels of immigration raids "is a chaotic escalation.""The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real – it's felt in our communities and within our families and it puts our neighborhoods at risk," she wrote. "This is the last thing that our city needs, and I urge protestors to remain peaceful."Zoom out: Barragán echoed the sentiment and said there is "no need" for the National Guard."We haven't asked for the help. We don't need the help. This is [Trump] escalating it, causing tensions to rise," she said.Go deeper: California's growing Trump resistance

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