President Donald Trump will deploy 2,000 National Guardsmen to Los Angeles to “address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,” his press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Saturday evening, following two days of angry protests over federal immigration actions.

“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,” she posted on X.

The announcement came as a Blackhawk helicopter was seen landing on a Paramount street and unloading what appeared to be large amounts of weapons and ammunition.

Federal authorities followed multiple immigration raids around Los Angeles on Friday with another action on Saturday, this time gathering in a Home Depot parking lot in Paramount, where they again faced off with protesters, who turned over shopping carts and other items and lit an American flag on fire in the street.

Later, as agents deployed tear gas and other less-than-lethal devices, Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s border chief, told Fox News that the National Guard will be sent to Los Angeles County.

“American people, this is about enforcing the law, and again, we’re not going to apologize for doing it,” Homan said.

U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement was using the expansive Home Depot parking lot at 6400 Alondra Blvd. as a staging area, according to Fox11, citing sources.

When federal authorities released less-than-lethal weapons as the conflict escalated, the area filled with smoke from tear gas canisters and at least one protester could be seen on the ground bleeding in news footage, though the nature of the injury wasn’t clear.

Demonstrators also threw objects at a U.S. Marshals Service bus and attempted to stop the bus from moving. A few armed federal agents exited the bus and cleared the protesters, and the bus continued.

“Local source there says it sounds and looks like a war zone, explosions everywhere,” wrote Anthony Cabassa, described as an independent journalist on X.

Fox11 reporter Matthew Seedorff posted a video on X showing one of the station’s news vehicles with slashed tires and smashed windows. Seedorff also said items were stolen from the vehicle.

By 1:45 p.m., federal authorities moved most of the demonstrators away from the area. Authorities also closed the Alondra Boulevard off-ramps from 710 Freeway, and CHP vehicles were blocking the on-ramps to prevent protesters from walking onto the freeway.

At a hastily arranged afternoon news conference in Paramount, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna called for calm.

“We will protect your right to peacefully protest, but we cannot and will not tolerate violence or destruction of property,” Luna said.

“I know that there’s a lot going on in last 24 hours regarding immigration and concerns, and all I ask our community to do here in Los Angeles (is to) approach it in a different way without using violence … I do not sanction attacks on federal officers. That is not good for any of us,” he added.

“ICE has brought their terror tactics and masked agents to #Paramount this morning — in my district,” Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-Los Angeles, wrote on X. “This is unacceptable. We will demand answers and accountability. For those out there – please stay safe, protest peacefully, and KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.”

In a statement on Saturday, ICE acting director Todd M. Lyons wrote, “What took place in Los Angeles (Friday) was appalling. As rioters attacked federal ICE and law enforcement officers on the LA streets, Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.

“Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered, as over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building. It took over two hours for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond, despite being called multiple times. The brave men and women of ICE were in Los Angeles arresting criminal illegal aliens including gang members, drug traffickers and those with a history of assault, cruelty to children, domestic violence, robbery, and smuggling.

“These violent rioters will be held accountable if they harm federal officers, and make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens. Sanctuary politicians would do well to remember that impeding our efforts only endangers their communities, law enforcement officers, and the detainees they claim to support.”

Also on Saturday, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino warned that some protesters could be prosecuted following Friday’s disturbances in downtown Los Angeles in response to the raids.

“The right to assemble and protest does not include a license to attack law enforcement officers, or to impede and obstruct our lawful immigration operations,” Bongino wrote on X. “We are thoroughly reviewing the evidence from yesterday’s incident in Los Angeles and we are working with the US Attorney’s Office to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

“The days of chaos ruling the streets are over,” Bongino said. “Either obey the law, or go to jail, there’s no third option.”

He added later in the day, “Multiple arrests have already been made for obstructing our operations. More are coming. We are pouring through the videos for more perpetrators. You bring chaos, and we’ll bring handcuffs.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom weighed in on Saturday afternoon, posting, “As the federal government conducts chaotic immigration sweeps across the country, the state is deploying additional CHP to maintain safety on Los Angeles highways to keep the peace. It’s not their job to assist in federal immigration enforcement. The federal government is sowing chaos so they can have an excuse to escalate. That is not the way any civilized country behaves.”

It was not clear if any day laborers, who frequently gather at Home Depots seeking work, were taken into custody on Saturday.

City News Service and Staff writer Ryanne Mena contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Immigration agents target multiple downtown LA locations, clash with protesters

Some LA protesters responding to ICE raids could be prosecuted, FBI announces