Widespread protests have erupted across Los Angeles in the wake of coordinated federal immigration raids last week, prompting President Donald Trump to deploy thousands of National Guard troops to the city. The move—made without approval from California’s governor—has drawn strong criticism from state and city leaders and raised fears of further unrest.
The unrest began on June 6, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carried out mass raids targeting day laborers and undocumented workers in several locations across L.A., including the Fashion District, Westlake, and a Home Depot parking lot. At least 118 people were detained, according to federal sources. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes, with agents in tactical gear detaining workers in broad daylight as bystanders began to gather in protest.
Clashes between protesters and authorities quickly intensified. Demonstrators hurled concrete and glass bottles at federal agents, while law enforcement responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades. By June 7, protests had spread to Paramount, Compton, and other surrounding neighborhoods.
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As tensions mounted, President Trump invoked emergency powers to send 2,000 National Guard troops into the city—marking the first unilateral federal military deployment to Los Angeles since the Watts Riots of 1965. The deployment bypassed Governor Gavin Newsom and drew immediate condemnation from state officials.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also denounced the action, urging calm but calling the federal response “provocative and inflammatory.”
Over the weekend, tensions reached a boiling point as demonstrators took to the 101 Freeway, halting traffic and setting fire to self-driving vehicles. Videos circulated online showing burning Waymo cars and lines of protesters facing off against riot police under clouds of tear gas. Some demonstrators were seen launching fireworks and Molotov cocktails. The LAPD confirmed 39 arrests, including one person caught attempting to throw an incendiary device.
“Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest,” President Trump posted on his Truth Social network. “We have an incompetent Governor (Newscum) and Mayor (Bass)… These Radical Left protests… will NOT BE TOLERATED. Also, from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why??? Again, thank you to the National Guard for a job well done!”
Journalists were also caught in the chaos. An Australian reporter was struck in the leg by a rubber bullet while covering the standoff near MacArthur Park.
Despite federal claims of restoring “law and order,” the deployment has escalated tensions across the city. Community organizers argue the raids are part of a broader pattern of immigrant intimidation.
The LAPD clarified that it is not participating in immigration enforcement, citing state restrictions that prohibit cooperation with federal immigration actions. Chief Jim McDonnell urged restraint on all sides but emphasized that violence would not be tolerated.
City and state officials are now weighing legal action to challenge the federal deployment. Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU of Southern California, have already filed injunctions to block further military presence and halt ongoing raids.
As of Monday, demonstrations are expected to continue throughout the week, with protest leaders calling for nationwide solidarity marches and a halt to all ICE activity in the state.
