Tensions are rising in Los Angeles after President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops in response to protests over immigration raids. The crackdown, which led to hundreds of arrests, has drawn strong criticism from California’s top leaders. Here’s what we know so far about the situation.
Protests against the Trump administration have erupted in Los Angeles over the past few days. The protests are aimed at responding to the targeting of undocumented immigrants during Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
The demonstrations, centered in areas such as Paramount and downtown LA, were sparked by a federal immigration sweep that resulted in at least 44 arrests on June 6, 2025, as part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown. Protesters clashed with federal agents, with reports of tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades being used to disperse the crowd. Some of the demonstrations included blocking traffic, displaying Mexican flags, and chanting “ICE out of LA!” The unrest led to at least 20 arrests on June 7, including one man charged with disorderly conduct and several others detained.
In response to these demonstrations, President Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles on June 7, 2025, invoking Title 10 of the U.S. Code to federalize the Guard, bypassing the Trump administration’s authority over California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Trump described the move as necessary to address “lawlessness,” accusing local Democratic leaders, including Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, of failing to maintain order.
The White House described the protesters as a “violent mob” that attacked federal agents, although local reports indicated that many of the protests were peaceful.
Trump also threatened to ban masks at protests and warned of further federal intervention if unrest continued.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth escalated the rhetoric, saying that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton were on “high alert” for possible deployment if violence continued.
Local leaders, including Newsom and Bass, condemned Trump’s actions. Newsom called the deployment “deliberately provocative,” arguing that it was unnecessary because local officials had sufficient resources to handle the situation.
Bass described the ICE raids as “sowing the seeds of terrorism” and urged peaceful protests, stressing that violence was unacceptable. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticized the National Guard deployment as a “provocative abuse of power,” warning that it endangers citizens and undermines democratic principles.
As early as June 8, 2025, National Guard troops began arriving in LA, but no widespread deployment was reported, and protests were expected to continue, including a planned event at City Hall.