Fresno County sheriff says National Guard needed in anti-ICE Los Angeles protests
Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni says he supports the use of the National Guard during the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles in recent days.
In a statement Tuesday, Zanoni said the National Guard “became necessary once the safety of the residents of the greater Los Angeles area were at risk due to the violent nature of the protesters.”
Zanoni’s comments were a departure from Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s Democratic leaders, who asked a federal court to block the federal government’s use of Marines and National Guard troops in L.A.
President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles following days of protests after a series of high-profile ICE raids in Southern California. The protests, which began Friday, have been mostly peaceful though have led to some property damage and injuries.
Zanoni, a Republican, said law enforcement officers “had their safety placed in jeopardy from the violent actions of these rioters.”
“In order to provide safety and security for those working and living in Los Angeles, the National Guard needed to be deployed,” Zanoni said. “While some have politicized what is going on with I.C.E. agents, this is simply a matter of public safety.”
The outspoken sheriff also criticized Newsom for opposing the deployment of the National Guard.
“Governor Newsom has once again failed his duties,” Zanoni said. “On top of that, he is wasting our tax dollars as he has on so many things. In this case, by suing Trump over the deployment of the National Guard. President Trump did what he had to do to address a clear and present danger that these rioters and protesters presented.”
Newsom said the move of using the National Guard was “the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial president.”
Trump’s order deviated from past norms. It was the first time in decades that a state’s National Guard was activated without a request from its governor.
The state is suing the president for deploying troops without the governor’s consent — a rare step, as the U.S. military is typically barred from engaging in domestic law enforcement.
On Monday, Zanoni also addressed the ICE raids in Southern California, as well as the downtown Fresno protest held in solidarity with the anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles.
“Designated federal agencies (I.C.E., U.S. Customs and Border Protection, HSI, etc.) specialize in immigration investigations, and as federal law enforcement, have the complete right to do so,” he said. “Laws cannot be optionally enforced based on emotional responses. We support and respect our federal partners in the assignments they conduct as law enforcement officers.”
Zanoni said that the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office respects the right of people to peacefully protest, but that riotous behavior like blocking public spaces or destroying property won’t be tolerated.
“The Sheriff’s Office is prepared to respond and assist other law enforcement agencies and take action should any criminal activity take place during a protest,” he said.
This story was originally published June 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM.
