Los Angeles remains on edge after a weekend of escalating protests triggered by aggressive U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. In response to the violence and unrest, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of National Guard troops to the city on Sunday, June 8, 2025, marking a dramatic turn in the federal government’s immigration enforcement strategy.
ICE Raids Spark Outrage and Mass Protests
The protests began Friday following ICE operations across the Los Angeles area that led to the detention of more than 40 individuals, including several children, accused of violating immigration laws. The targeted neighborhoods—Paramount, Compton, and Downtown Los Angeles—saw some of the most intense reactions, as residents and activists poured into the streets demanding the release of detainees and calling for an end to what they view as inhumane enforcement tactics.
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Demonstrators quickly blocked roadways and clashed with law enforcement, particularly outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, where ICE was reportedly holding detainees. Tensions rose when ICE agents alleged they were assaulted with rocks and other projectiles. Riot police responded with tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and other crowd-control measures.
National Guard Deployment and Federal Response
By early Sunday morning, approximately 300 soldiers from the California National Guard’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) were deployed to three key locations around Los Angeles. The deployment, though smaller than the initially anticipated 2,000 troops, was framed by the Trump administration as necessary to restore order and protect federal facilities and personnel.
President Trump signed a memorandum late Saturday describing Los Angeles as being in a state of “unrest” and asserting federal authority to deploy military resources if local agencies failed to maintain control.
At a federal press briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that if the situation worsened, active-duty Marines might be deployed, citing what he called a “serious national security threat.”
Violent Flashpoints in Los Angeles
Violence was reported in several locations throughout the weekend:
- In Paramount, protests escalated after rumors of a second ICE raid. A gas station was looted, and multiple cars were set on fire.
- In Compton, protesters lit a vehicle ablaze on a main road.
- At one point, over 1,000 protesters reportedly surrounded a federal building, prompting ICE officials to call the situation “chaotic.”
- The LAPD later denied certain ICE claims, blaming delays in police response on poor coordination and crowd conditions caused by federal agents’ use of chemical irritants.
Numerous arrests were made, with charges ranging from assault on federal officers to destruction of property. ICE officials condemned what they described as a lack of timely support from local law enforcement, while the LAPD clarified that it had no role in federal immigration operations and was only involved in managing protest-related disruptions.
Political Fallout: Clashing Perspectives
Reactions from political leaders reflected deep divisions over immigration policy and the role of federal forces in local matters:
- House Speaker Mike Johnson praised President Trump’s decision, calling it “real leadership” and asserting that the president has the right and duty to maintain public safety.
- In sharp contrast, California Governor Gavin Newsom denounced the deployment as “deliberately inflammatory.” He argued that local authorities were managing the situation and accused the federal government of using military force for political theater. “There is no justification for federal intervention. This is a local matter,” Newsom stated on social media.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karolin Lewitt criticized California’s Democratic leadership, saying,
“California Democrats have abdicated their duty to protect citizens in the face of widespread violence.”
Protests Spread Nationwide
While the most intense scenes played out in Los Angeles, similar protests erupted in New York City, where at least 22 people were arrested during demonstrations outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan. Other U.S. cities also saw rallies in support of immigrant rights and condemnation of ICE’s tactics.
A Nation Divided Over Immigration Enforcement
The federal raids and subsequent protests have reignited national debates over immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and the use of military force in civilian contexts. For many protesters, the situation in Los Angeles has become a symbol of broader concerns about the treatment of immigrant communities, family separations, and the erosion of constitutional protections.
Images of burning vehicles, heavily armed troops, and activists waving flags—including the Mexican flag—have flooded social media, intensifying national attention.
What Happens Next?
With no resolution in sight, National Guard troops are expected to remain in Los Angeles in the coming days. Tensions between federal and local authorities are likely to escalate as both sides clash over control and responsibility.
This crisis is fast becoming one of the most politically and socially charged events of 2025, with implications for upcoming elections, federal-state relations, and the future of immigration policy in the United States.
As protests continue and investigations unfold, the nation watches closely, awaiting clarity, accountability, and possibly, lasting change.