Washington — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended his decision to order troops to provide security during federal immigration raids in Los Angeles, telling senators on Wednesday it's about “maintaining law and order.”

Los Angeles immigration riots become campaign issue as Rep. Carter and America One PAC release ads attacking Sen. Ossoff on border security and response to civil unrest.

4:47 p.m. EDT The Trump administration asked the judge to reject Newsom’s request and allow it to respond by Wednesday, calling Newsom’s attempt to block the deployment of federal troops “legally meritless” and saying it would jeopardize the safety of Homeland Security personnel and interfere with the government’s ability to carry out operations.

Protests against immigration enforcement raids have sprung up across the country from Seattle and Austin to Chicago and Washington, D.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended President Trump deploying National Guard to L.A., stating Gavin Newsom is "choos[ing] rioters and criminal illegals" over American law enforcement.