US President Donald Trump has defended sending the National Guard to California. The move is an attempt to stop demonstrations over the Trump administration's attempts to deport migrants it says are living in the country illegally.
Mr Trump argues the anti-immigration enforcement protests have spiralled out of control and has blamed Governor Gavin Newsom directly for the unrest.
“Some of the things you're reading about in Los Angeles. Thank goodness we sent out some wonderful National Guard. They really helped in a lot of problems they were having out there. They were afraid to do anything. And we sent out the troops and they've done a fantastic job. So I want to thank them very much."
He went further, claiming Governor Newsom's leadership is so disastrous, it warrants arrest.
TRUMP: “The crime the he has committed?”
JOURNALIST: “Yes, to warrant his arrest.”
TRUMP: “I think his primary crime was running for governor, because he's done such a bad job. What he's done to that state is like what (former U.S. President Joe) Biden did to this country. And that's pretty bad. It's the wrong philosophy. Thousands, hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants, many of them prisoners, they are taking up your health care. They're taking up your space in schools and taking up your hospital. And in many cases, they're criminals.”
On the ground the four days of protests in Los Angeles have seen city blocks disrupted, cars vandalised, and police deploying rubber bullets and tear gas.
One rubber bullet struck Channel Nine's U-S Correspondent Lauren Tomasi in the leg as she was reporting live on air.
"After hours of standing off, this situation has now rapidly deteriorated, the LAPD moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protesters, moving them on through the heart of LA.
SOUND OF SHOT FIRED
COLLEAGUE: "You just F-in shot a reporter ! Are you OK?"
Ms Tomasi later Tweeted: "Hey there. Thanks for all your messages - I'm a bit sore, but I'm okay. Important we keep on telling the stories that need to be told."
The raids are the latest in a string of high-profile immigration enforcement actions over the last week, part of President Trump’s immigration deportation crackdown promised before he was elected.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says the city was calm, until federal immigration raids began.
“Dial back time to Thursday, none of this needed to happen. Why did we need to have raids here? It was very clear that if raids happened here that the community was going to respond in a very negative way... Everything was fine in the city. Just think about that. We weren’t having problems with protests. There were no problems with violence. The raids happened on Friday and in response to especially the arrest of David Huerta, one of the most respected labour leaders in the city, him being injured, going to a hospital.”
David Huerta, a prominent California union leader, was arrested during one of the protests.
His detention sparked national rallies demanding his release.
He addressed supporters after being freed on bail.
"Nothing will be resolved with violence. Violence begets violence. We need to be able to have our movement needs to be one of non-violence. Our movement needs be one that we hold each other accountable to creating heaven on Earth. Through doing and creating and imagining something better. And so I stand here. I stand here in community with everyone and for me, the most, we need to make sure that we fight for the most vulnerable amongst us. ... I'm prepared to take on that journey and I'm prepare to face that. But I won't face it alone."
Federal officials say Mr Huerta resisted removal and disrupted a lawful immigration operation.
But his arrest only fuelled Governor Newsom’s pushback against President Trump’s deployment of federal troops.
Governor Newsom had this to say about the U-S President while speaking on The Brian Taylor Cohen podcast.
"This isn't about L-A persay, it's about us today, but it's about you, everyone watching, tomorrow. I promise you. I mean this guy is unhinged. Donald Trump is unhinged right now, and that's another proof point of that."
In a statement posted to social media platform X, Mr Newsom accused Mr Trump of overreach and said he would sue the Trump administration.
The Department of Homeland Security said that the raids included individuals convicted of criminal violations.
The lawsuit was filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
"I, in partnership with Governor Gavin Newsom, are suing President Trump and asking the court to set aside the president's unlawful action federalising the California National Guard. ... In the early hours of Sunday morning, President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unlawfully federalised 2,000 California National Guard troops for 60 days with no indication as to when they intend to stand down. They did so without authorisation from Governor Newsom and against the wishes of local law enforcement."
Mayor Bass says not only were the raids avoidable, they’ve left immigrant families terrified.
"Imagine what that means to families. Imagine how many adults are afraid to go to work because they don't know if they're going to be home to see their children, having no idea when and where these raids take place. You create this sense of fear and terror in a population that is just completely unnecessary. When the president came in, he talked about arresting violent criminals. He talked about drug dens. He didn't talk about Home Depot. And so really, a day laborer center at Home Depot where people are just trying to work and make a living, we're going to raid that?"
President Trump insists the raids are necessary.
When asked if he would next send in the US Marines, the US President indicated he had not yet made up his mind.
"We'll see what happens. I mean, I think we have it very well under control. I think it would have been a very bad situation. It was heading in the wrong direction. It's now heading in right direction. And we hope to have the support of Gavin, because Gavin is the big beneficiary as we straighten out his problems. I mean his state is a mess."
Meanwhile, family members of those detained in last week’s immigration raid at a Los Angeles warehouse have gathered to demand answers, and the release of their loved ones.
They say the arrests, carried out by federal agents, were not only sudden but deeply traumatic for children and relatives left behind.
Community organiser Perla Rios called on authorities to intervene, saying many families still don’t know where their relatives have been taken.
“Help us, please. Please help our people to get out of where they are. We ask you, please, that our voice reaches where it has to reach to free our people. Because many of us don't know where they're at, what's going on with them. A young man has already been deported."
The arrests took place at the Ambiance Apparel warehouse in downtown Los Angeles, one of several workplaces raided as part of the wider federal crackdown.
Community members say the operation has left children without caregivers, workers without support, and entire families in fear.
