U.S. President Donald Trump can keep his deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, according to a court ruling, as protests against immigration raids look set to enter their second week in the strongest backlash since his return to power in January.

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.

WSJ's Katherine Sayre reports from downtown Los Angeles where thousands are taking part in anti-Trump demonstrations outside City Hall.

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

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

Trump defended deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles, telling reporters the protesters “would rip L.A. apart” if they weren’t on call and ready.

After a week of watching a fun-house-mirror version of their city in global media, thousands of Los Angeles residents took to the streets on Saturday.

President Donald Trump signed a memorandum "deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness" in California as demonstrations opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations continue in the state, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Saturday evening.