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President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 troops to Los Angeles early Sunday (June 8) morning amid violent protests over ICE deportations in the city.
Video shared by ABC 7 in Los Angeles showed vehicles stopping in front of the Hall of Justice located next to City Hall in the downtown area following riots that initially took place on Friday (June 6). Additional footage shared online showed military vehicles driving through the Paramount suburb after riots broke out in the area.
Trump had previously praised the National Guard and blasted Democrat Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom for being "unable to handle the tasks" of calming down the rioters. The White House issued a statement announcing the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles Saturday (June 7) night.
“In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California," the statement reads. "These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States. 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 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester. The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs. These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice. The Commander-in-Chief will ensure the laws of the United States are executed fully and completely.”
The protests followed demonstrations over ICE operations across the city on Friday after federal agents raided multiple workplaces resulting in hundreds of people, including children, being detained, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Large crowds gathered near the federal building on Friday, which resulted in some clashes with authorities, while was followed by protests on Saturday where Border Patrol agents were posted up nearby, resulting in more clashes with demonstrators and footage showing smoke projectiles being deployed.
Several arrests were made on Saturday involving individuals accused of assaulting federal agents.