As tensions flared across Los Angeles this weekend in response to federal immigration raids, former President Donald Trump took to social media to praise the National Guard for their “great job” in restoring order—before the troops had actually been deployed.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom quickly rebutted the post, writing on X: “For those keeping track, Donald Trump's National Guard had not been deployed on the ground when he posted this.”

The conflicting statements added fuel to an already volatile situation.

The Trump administration had announced it would send 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles following a second day of protests and violent clashes, most notably around a Home Depot in the city of Paramount, where federal agents were conducting enforcement operations targeting undocumented immigrants.

Videos reviewed by local media outlets KABC and KTLA show National Guard members only arriving and patrolling parts of L.A. County—including Paramount and the downtown Civic Center—on Sunday morning, hours after Trump’s post late Saturday night.

Protest Escalation in Paramount

The decision to deploy troops marked a dramatic escalation in immigration enforcement, with federal agencies citing multiple arrests and disruptions. On Saturday, protests outside the Home Depot on Alondra Boulevard escalated throughout the day. Demonstrators began peacefully, chanting “ICE go home” and “No justice, no peace,” but the situation quickly devolved into a chaotic confrontation with federal agents.

According to eyewitnesses and reporters on the scene, federal officials deployed flash-bang grenades, pepper balls, and tear gas into the crowd. In response, some protesters threw rocks and other items at federal vehicles. A car was set ablaze, and several injuries were reported, including at least one protester who was knocked unconscious and a Border Patrol agent reportedly struck by a projectile.

Newsom Condemns Federal Overreach

Governor Newsom condemned the deployment in a public statement Saturday evening, calling it “purposefully inflammatory” and warning that it would “only escalate tensions.”

“There is currently no unmet need,” Newsom said. “This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.”

Local law enforcement, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, clarified that it had not been involved in any immigration enforcement activities and was only present to assist with traffic and crowd control.

Legal Questions and Federal Response

Legal experts are already questioning the Trump administration’s decision to federalize California’s National Guard under the rarely invoked Insurrection Act of 1807. Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley Law School, called the move “very troubling” and noted that it typically applies only during extreme circumstances.

Others, including Loyola Law School professor Jessica Levinson, emphasized that previous National Guard deployments in L.A.—such as during the 1992 Rodney King riots and the 2020 George Floyd protests—were initiated by the state and coordinated with local leaders, not imposed unilaterally by the federal government.

Despite that precedent, Trump officials have leaned into the crackdown. Tom Homan, the president’s “border czar,” claimed—without providing evidence—that recent arrests included “child sex offenders, gang members and national security threats.”

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hinted that active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton may be called in if violence continues.

A Divided Public and Uncertain Path Forward

In Paramount, a city that is 82% Latino, community leaders voiced fears about the message this deployment sends. “Our hardworking communities are being targeted,” said California Assemblymember José Luis Solache Jr., who was tear-gassed while observing the protest. “These are not criminals. These are families.”

Mayor Karen Bass, while not directly opposing the federal deployment, issued a statement acknowledging the unrest and calling for calm. “This is a difficult time for our city,” she said. “We are working closely with law enforcement to find the best path forward.”

But for now, the only thing clear is that tensions between California’s leadership and the Trump administration are again on full display—and that facts on the ground are not always in sync with messages from the top.