Hegseth Hints At Major Escalation If LA Riots Continue: ‘High Alert’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that U.S. Marines have been placed on high alert if federal and state assets currently deployed to quell the Los Angeles riots are unable to restore order.

“The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil,” Hegseth wrote in an X post on Saturday night. “A dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK.”

The defense secretary went on to echo the president’s stern response to the riots, stating, “Under President Trump, violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated. It’s COMMON SENSE.”

He concluded by confirming that the federal government will be taking control of, and mobilizing, California National Guard units in order to immediately support federal law enforcement assets on the ground. “And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert.”

After previously vowing to resist the administration and “fight” for illegal aliens, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass finally condemned the unrest nearly well over 24 hours after it first erupted. “Reports of unrest outside the city, including in Paramount, are deeply concerning. 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 Democrat mayor wrote in an X post.

Bass has faced intense criticism after she and Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell ordered local law enforcement not to cooperate with federal agents. LAPD did not respond for more than two hours on Friday night after federal agents were assaulted and cornered by a far-left mob outside a downtown Los Angeles federal building.

California Governor Gavin Newsom pleaded with President Trump not to take control of state national guard assets after state and local authorities failed to quell the riots.

“The federal government is moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers. That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions,” Newsom complained. “LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice. We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need.”

As of 9:12 p.m. local time, it is unclear whether National Guard assets have yet reached the city. The most recent footage captured by on-the-ground reporter Anthony Cabassa shows rioters continuing to clash with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office personnel using rocks, concrete and fireworks in the city’s Compton section, while at least one structure fire can be seen.

“Police continue to struggle to maintain order. The ANTI ICE crowd has only gotten larger,” Cabassa reported at 8:41 p.m. local time.

Despite two days of sustained attacks on federal agents — which resulted in numerous injuries and nearly caused multiple fatal crashes — the Los Angeles Police Department authorized the use of less-than-lethal crowd control measures shortly after 9 p.m. local time.

In a bizarre statement released just before enhanced crowd control measures were authorized, the department commented on “demonstrations across the city of Los Angeles” that “remained peaceful.”

The department added, “We commend all those who exercised their First Amendment rights responsibly.” The statement only continued to get more bizarre, as the LAPD claimed that the day’s events “concluded without incident” while praising “organizers, participants, and community partners who helped ensure public safety throughout the day.”