Homeland Security Secretary Noem Declares Los Angeles City of Criminals Amid ICE Raids, National Guard Deployment

During recent federal immigration raids in Los Angeles, some individuals have already been deported, contributing to protests across the country. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended these actions, labeling Los Angeles a "city of criminals" and criticizing Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom for their handling of the situation, accusing them of failing to address gang-related violence. Noem emphasized that the raids targeted 400 to 500 known gang members and justified increased deployments of National Guard troops and Marines to restore safety, asserting the Trump administration's authority to conduct these operations despite local opposition. The deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines has been met with strong criticism from California officials, including lawsuits against the federal government for what they call an unprecedented power grab. Noem also dismissed protests as violence against law enforcement, warning that the administration will respond with increased force. These developments highlight the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies and California's local government and communities.