Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif) said she was told that the California National Guard will be in Los Angeles for 30 days after immigration officials and protesters broke out in fights over the weekend.
“It’s a concern,” Barragán said on Sunday’s episode of “State of the Union.” “It’s going to escalate the situation. People are going to protest because they’re angry about the situation.”
In a statement to HuffPost, Barragán said local law enforcement told her the Department of Homeland Security said ICE officials would be arresting people for the next 30 days in LA.
We were made for this moment. HuffPost will aggressively, fairly and honestly cover the Trump administration. But we need your help. Consider directly backing our work today.
“Given [President Donald] Trump’s reasoning for mobilizing the National Guard, we expect them to be deployed during that same time frame ― though DHS officials refused to confirm any details about the timing of the National Guard deployment,” Barragán said.
The White House announced Saturday that President Donald Trump is deploying 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles to “address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester” after protests broke out over immigration raids. Troops arrived in LA on Sunday morning.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) wrote on X that the federal government wants a “spectacle.”
“The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles — not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle,” Newsom wrote. “Don’t give them one. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully.”
Tensions rose Saturday night near a Home Depot in Paramount, California, when federal agents unleashed tear gas, flash-bang explosives and pepper balls at protesters who threw rocks and cement at officials’ cars. On Friday, protesters gathered outside a federal detention center to demand the release of more than 40 people arrested on immigration violations. Police in riot gear unleashed tear gas into the crowd.
Barragán said on “State of the Union” that protesters who are violent should be arrested and prosecuted, and she encourages protesters to remain peaceful. She warned federal officers are being aggressive regardless.
“We have to remember why this is happening,” Barragán said. “It’s happening because of everything that’s been going on the last couple of months. And this community is saying, ‘We don’t want ICE in our community. We want you out.’”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested at least 100 people in LA on immigration violations in the past week, according to The Associated Press.
Barragán said the administration is targeting peaceful protests.
“The president is sending the National Guard because he doesn’t like the scenes, the scenes of people peacefully protesting,” she said.