A protest in Compton against ICE raids escalated on Saturday afternoon when demonstrators set a car on fire, one of several heated scenes across Los Angeles that led President Trump to deploy thousands of National Guard troops to the region.
In dramatic footage captured by the stringer service Key News Network, a white sedan is fully engulfed by a blaze in the middle of the intersection of Atlantic and Alondra boulevards while groups of onlookers, protestors – some waving Mexican flags – and sheriff’s deputies in riot gear surround the flaming scene.
KNN reported that several demonstrators were impacted by crowd control measures such as pepper balls and flashbangs to disperse the crowd – with one man seen on video bleeding from his face.
While protests sparked by Friday and Saturday’s ICE raids continue to erupt across Los Angeles areas, some turning violent, tensions are heightening between local and federal government officials.
On Saturday evening, Governor Newsom announced on X that the state deployed additional California Highway Patrol units “to maintain safety on Los Angeles highways.”
“The federal government is sowing chaos so they can have an excuse to escalate,” the post added. “That is not the way any civilized country behaves.”
In a follow-up post at 5:13 p.m., Newsom shared news that the federal government was starting to “take over” the state’s National Guard, calling the move “purposefully inflammatory,” saying it “will only escalate tensions.”
“The Guard has been admirably serving LA throughout recovery,” said the post. “This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.”
Less than 10 minutes later, President Trump threatened to increase federal forces in the following post on Truth Social:
“If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass then posted a statement on X, calling it a “difficult time for our city,” referring to both the federal immigration sweeps as well as ongoing recovery efforts following the deadly January wildfires.
“Reports of unrest outside the city, including in Paramount, are deeply concerning,” read Bass’ statement. “We’ve been in direct contact with officials in Washington, D.C., and are working closely with law enforcement to find the best path forward.”
The White House released a statement shortly after, announcing that Trump officially deployed the 2,000 National Guard troops “to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.”
“In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles,” the statement read. “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.”
The statement also explicitly calls out political party leaders, saying, “California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.”
Joining in on the multi-social media platforms conversation, FBI Director Kash Patel posted to X, saying, “Hit a cop, you’re going to jail… doesn’t matter where you came from, how you got here, or what movement speaks to you. If the local police force won’t back our men and women on the thin blue line, we @FBI will.”
In response to the federal government deploying the National Guard, Newsom posted another X post at 7:22 p.m., saying this decision was “not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle.”
“Don’t give them one,” concluded the post. “Never use violence. Speak out peacefully.”
The post Car lit on fire in Compton protest against ICE raids, Trump deploys National Guard appeared first on KTLA.
