Large crowds gathered near a federal detention center in downtown Los Angeles Friday protesting immigration raids that had taken place throughout the city.

President Trump’s assertions that federal troops have saved the city from destruction did not appear to reflect reality.

The National Guard has at times detained protesters in its deployment to Los Angeles, an official said Wednesday, as demonstrations against Immigration and Customs enforcement raids spread to other major cities.

The National Guard in Los Angeles has detained anti-ICE protesters while providing security for immigration operations, with officials expecting protests to escalate.

President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard members to help respond to protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids.

Trump claims the troops are quelling protests. But California officials fear their real mission is bigger: militarizing mass deportation.

California will face off with Washington in court on Thursday over President Donald Trump's deployment of U.S. troops in Los Angeles after demonstrators again took to the streets in major cities to protest Trump's immigration crackdown.

The lawsuit will seek to set aside the president’s order calling up troops in response to protests that spread over the weekend.

Monday's protests were largely calmer than Sunday's clashes. California officials insist that the 4,000 National Guards troops and 700 active duty Marines en route to L.A. are an unnecessary abuse of power by Trump.