California National Guard troops began arriving in Los Angeles on Sunday morning after President Trump said he would be deploying 2,000 members to respond to immigration protests.
The U.S. Northern Command confirmed on a post on X that the California National Guard has begun deploying troops in the L.A. area, “with some already on the ground.”
Trump ordered at least 2,000 National Guard members to assist immigration agents after two days of clashes with demonstrators, despite local lawmakers saying they had not asked for assistance.
In a TruthSocial post on Sunday, Trump said the National Guard had done a “great job” after “two days of violence, clashes and unrest.” He also criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass for their handling of the protests.
Trump said protesters would not be allowed to wear masks.
“What do these people have to hide, and why??? Again, thank you to the National Guard for a job well done,” Trump added.
Newsom blasted Trump’s post on X thanking the Guard, stating that the troops had “had not been deployed on the ground when he posted this.”
The governor also said in a post on X that the Trump administration was “taking over” the National Guard “not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle.”
“Don’t give them one. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully,” Newsom added.
Bass, in a late Saturday night interview, said deploying troops was “completely unnecessary.”