Trump administration defends immigration raids despite fiery LA County protests

Protests against recent Trump-era federal immigration sweeps have erupted in unrest in Los Angeles County as elected state officials try to dissuade violence.The big picture: President Trump and his administration held firm, promising continued immigration enforcement actions Saturday, while laying blame for unrest at the feet of protesters and state officials.What they're saying: President Trump called out Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom specifically in a Truth Social post on Saturday evening:"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 other side: Newsom said in a post on X Saturday that the "federal government is moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers.""That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions," he said.He earlier said in another post: "As the federal government conducts chaotic immigration sweeps across the country, the state is deploying additional CHP to maintain safety on Los Angeles highways to keep the peace. It's not their job to assist in federal immigration enforcement. "The federal government is sowing so they can have an excuse to escalate. That is not the way any civilized country behaves."Mayor Bass condemned violence Saturday night in an X post."Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable," she said.Her earlier statement criticized federal immigration enforcement actions, which she said "sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city.""My Office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations," Bass said. We will not stand for this."Catch up quick: The Los Angeles protest Friday reportedly led to hundreds of detainments, a standoff with federal agents and flash bang grenades.A demonstration Saturday in Paramount, which is about 30 minutes south of downtown Los Angeles, was marked by tear gas, billowing smoke and calls to stop federal immigration sweeps.Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.) said Saturday on X, "ICE has brought their terror tactics and masked agents to #Paramount this morning - in my district. This is unacceptable. We will demand answers and accountability." Demonstrators protested against ICE and immigration raids on Saturday in Paramount. Photo: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesZoom in: When asked about the downtown Los Angeles protest, Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said demonstrators were "assaulting ICE enforcement officers, slashing tires, defacing buildings and taxpayer funded property."She said in an email to Axios on Saturday 800 protesters surrounded and breached the first layer of a federal law enforcement building.Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said in a statement Saturday that it took more than two hours for Los Angeles police to respond on Friday.He alleged the city's mayor, who advocated for immigrants, was siding with "chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement."Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said in a statement Friday the sheriff's department does not participation in the mass sweeps and that such enforcements are the "responsibility of federal law enforcement agencies.""We recognize that these reports have caused fear, anxiety and concern within our communities," Luna said."We urge everyone to remain calm and peaceful as we continue to place your safety and well-being at the forefront of our efforts."Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional statements and changes throughout.

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