Tear gas was deployed and numerous arrests made as protesters and US immigration officers clashed in Los Angeles.
President Trump’s border security advisor, Tom Homan, informed Fox News that the National Guard is being “mobilized” and will soon be deployed to Los Angeles County following violent demonstrations and attacks targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The center of the disturbances was in Paramount, California, where federal immigration officers were positioned near a Home Depot on Saturday. Despite the fact that no ICE raid took place at that particular location, the crowd of demonstrators eventually engaged with officers, prompting Border Patrol personnel and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies to use tear gas and “less-lethal rounds.”
Homan stated on The Big Weekend Show, “We’re going to bring the National Guard in tonight. We’re going to continue doing our job. We’re going to push back on these people.”
He further added, “You can protest all you want. You’ve got your First Amendment rights, but if you cross that line of impediment, or you put hands on officers or destroy property, you will be prosecuted.”
Homan emphasized, “American people, this is about enforcing the law. And again, we’re not going to apologize for doing it.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized the unrest as a “riot,” and warned that anyone who “lay[s] a hand on a law enforcement officer” will be “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino stated that authorities are reviewing footage of the clashes to identify those responsible. He warned, “You bring chaos, and we’ll bring handcuffs.”
The demonstrations transpired after three immigration raids were conducted in Los Angeles on Friday, resulting in at least 44 administrative arrests. According to the White House, Homan is currently in Los Angeles to oversee the ongoing operations.
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