Seven of the National Guards of California in military fatigues with two police officers stand outdoors, a military vehicle in the backgroundLos Angeles Times via Getty Images

of the National Guard operating with police officers during the Palisades fire in LA county earlier this year

The National Guard of the United States, a reserve force that usually operates at state-level, is usually called by a state's governor.

But President Trump has used a provision that allows him to take control himself by federalising the National Guard, California Governor Gavin Newsom's office told the AP news agency.

The law - which puts National Guard troops under federal command - states that this can only be done in certain circumstances.

These include when the US is invaded or in danger of being invaded, when there is a rebellion or danger of rebellion against the authority of the US government, or when the president is not able to execute US laws with regular forces.

However, it is not currently clear if Trump can activate the troops without the order of the state's governor under the law.

  • National Guard not deployed in city of LA, says mayor
    Breaking

    The National Guard has not been deployed in the city of Los Angeles, mayor Karen Bass has said.

    In a post on X, Bass - who has criticised ICE raids and reported violence during protests against them - also thanked the LA Police Department and local law enforcement for their work on Saturday night.

    However, it is still not clear whether the National Guard is on the ground in the wider LA area.

    As we reported earlier, clashes over immigration raids have also erupted in Paramount, a tiny city in the county, on Saturday.

  • What caused the clashes?

    Demonstrators in jumpers run away from police as fireworks go off, siren lights illuminate the nightAFP via Getty Images

    Clashes were seen in the Los Angeles area on Friday after Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) immigration raids were carried out across the city.

    The BBC's US partner, CBS, reports that operations took place in the city, in the Westlake District and south LA.

    As many as 118 arrests were made in LA this week as a result of ICE operations, including 44 on Friday. California Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned the raids as "cruel".

    The Federal Building in downtown LA later became the focus of demonstrations, after it emerged that detainees were allegedly being held in the building.

    Graffiti was sprayed on the building and objects were thrown at police, CBS reports, leading to an unlawful assembly declaration.

    On Saturday, the LA County Sheriff's Department said another protest broke out in the city of Paramount over what appeared to be another immigration raid.

    As many as 400 people were involved in the protests, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said. The department then declared an unlawful assembly in an attempt to disperse demonstrators "without any violence".

    Immigration raids have ramped up under President Trump's istration, which last month asked federal agents to arrest 3,000 people a day.

  • Saturday's clashes centred in Paramount

    As we've been reporting, clashes on Saturday took place in the city of Paramount, in Los Angeles County.

    The tiny city - which has a population of about 51,000 - borders Compton in the south of the county.

    It became a flashpoint after reports emerged that law enforcement officers were conducting an immigration raid in the area.

    The LA County Sheriff's Department said a large crowd blocked traffic on Paramount Boulevard at about 12:42pm on Saturday.

    Digital map showing the location of Paramount within LA county

  • Trump thanks National Guard for 'job well done'
    Breaking

    A file photo of Donald Trump - he is wearing a suit and his normal red tie, with a crowd behind himReuters

    Trump thanks the National Guard for a "job well done" in LA in a post on social media.

    He repeats his criticism of the state and city's Democrat leaders before taking aim at the protesters: "These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT BE TOLERATED."

    He adds that "from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests".

    "Thank you to the National Guard for a job well done," he says.

    The BBC has not yet been able to whether the National Guard have actually arrived to LA following Trump's order.

  • LA clashes in pictures

    Photos from Saturday show clashes in the Los Angeles county city of Paramount.

    Tear gas and "less lethal munitions" were used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) federal agents to disperse crowds during a second day of unrest.

    A firework is seen flying toward police vans from behind a bin where four protesters crouch. Two are seen wearing face masks, while one wears a helmet and holds up an umbrellaReuters

    Some protesters threw fireworks, according to the BBC's US partner CBS

    A man, wearing a covering on the lower part of his face, is seen waving a Mexican flag while on a motorbike as police cars are seen lined up in the distanceReuters

    Protests are over ICE raids in Los Angeles, with as many as 118 arrests made in recent days

    A man is seen kneeling on the ground as milk - often used as a treatment for tear gas - is poured onto his faceReuters

    Some protesters were seen treating side effects from tear gas

    Flames are seen billowing from the open door of a white car, as onlookers watch on outside a branch of a donut storeReuters

    Protesters gathered near a car lit on fire on the border of Paramount and Compton on Saturday, CBS reported

    Protesters stood on a burnt out car on a street, one holds a Burkina Faso flag, another holds a Mexico flagReuters
    ICE officers seen in helmets outside a branch of a donut storeReuters

  • 'Multiple people detained for failing to disperse', LA police says

    The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has issued dispersal orders for an area around a detention centre in the city's downtown area.

    "Multiple people have been detained for failing to disperse after multiple warnings were issued," the LAPD's central division says on social media.

    "The use of less lethal munitions has been authorised," it says, saying these can "cause pain and discomfort".

  • Hegseth says Marines will be 'mobilised' if 'violence continues'

    Pete Hegseth, who has slicked back grey hair, gesticulates as he speaks on stageEPA

    Earlier, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on X that his department was “mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY” to law enforcement in LA.

    “And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert,” he adds.

    Hegseth says “violent mob assaults” in the city were “designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil”.

    He also claims the unrest was “a dangerous criminal invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK”.

    Residents of a predominantly Latino district have clashed with Immigration and Customs (ICE) federal agents over the past two days over raids on undocumented migrants.

    Hegseth warns that under Trump’s istration “violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated. It’s COMMON SENSE”.

  • Trump orders National Guard to LA unrest over immigration raids

    Three people stand behind a bin, using it as a barricade. A shopping trolley has been set on fireReuters

    US President Donald Trump has ordered the National Guard to Los Angeles to deal with unrest over immigration raids.

    It comes after a second day of unrest in the Californian city, with residents of a predominantly Latino district clashing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) federal agents.

    Tear gas and "less lethal munitions" have been used to disperse crowds in the Paramount district.

    "To the extent that protests or acts of violence directly inhibit the execution of the laws, they constitute a form of rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States." Trump says in an order saying National Guard units will "temporarily protect" law immigration officers.

    California Governor Gavin Newsom says on social media: "The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles — not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle.

    "Don't give them one. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully."

    We'll be bringing you updates on this story as it develops.