Protests Erupt in Los Angeles: Los Angeles finds itself at the epicenter of a fierce political and social confrontation as President Trump orders the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops following intense clashes between protesters and federal agents over sweeping immigration raids. Here’s a full report on what unfolded.
Protests Erupt in Los Angeles
In a dramatic escalation of tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guardsmen to Los Angeles. This move follows two consecutive days of intense clashes between angry protesters and federal agents, spurred by aggressive immigration raids in the city.
President Trump Posts on Social Truth Late Night:
Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest. We have an incompetent Governor (Newscum) and Mayor (Bass) who were, as usual (just look at how they handled the fires, and now their VERY SLOW PERMITTING disaster. Federal permitting is complete!), unable to to handle the task. These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, 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!
Governor Gavin Newsom said on X: The federal government is moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers. That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions. LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice. We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need. The Guard has been admirably serving LA throughout recovery. This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.
The flashpoint of the protest was in the suburb of Paramount, where demonstrators gathered near a Home Depot being used as a staging site by federal immigration officials. The raids are part of President Trump’s wider crackdown on undocumented immigrants, which has been met with fierce backlash, particularly in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles.
According to local media, federal agents clad in riot gear deployed flashbang grenades and tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd. The confrontations quickly turned chaotic. Protesters, some waving Mexican flags, constructed makeshift barricades using cement blocks and overturned shopping carts to block the streets. One protester reported being struck in the hip by a rubber bullet, while another narrowly avoided being hit in the head as he stood beside a journalist. He recounted how the bullet flew just inches past his head, almost striking the journalist, which he believed could have resulted in fatal injury due to the sensitivity of the skull’s rear area.
Aerial footage showed a car ablaze in nearby Compton. Firefighters responded quickly and extinguished the fire, but the area remained tense as protesters continued to occupy the streets. Dramatic scenes unfolded as a crowd of demonstrators surrounded a U.S. Marshals Service bus exiting a freeway. In response, authorities shut down nearby on- and off-ramps to prevent protesters from seizing control of the highway.
Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the U.S. and one of the most ethnically diverse, has long stood as a stronghold of immigrant communities. On the ground, the atmosphere was charged not just with anger, but also with solidarity. Protesters expressed sorrow over the suffering of their community, but also pride in their organized resistance. One activist stated that the Trump administration, ICE, and Border Patrol agents are learning that they cannot operate freely in areas where immigrant communities are strong and united.
The protests began late Friday night, shortly after ICE agents conducted a series of enforcement actions that led to the arrest of at least 44 individuals accused of immigration violations. In response, a crowd of over 1,000 people reportedly surrounded a federal law enforcement building, prompting increased federal concern.
Stephen Miller, Senior White House aide and known hardliner on immigration, labeled the protests as “an insurrection against the United States.” The administration pledged strict legal consequences for those involved and hinted at further escalation in federal security responses.
Tom Homan, Trump’s chief advisor on border security, confirmed that National Guard forces would soon be mobilized. This decision was quickly carried out by the president’s order. However, California Governor Gavin Newsom pushed back forcefully. He accused the federal government of attempting to take control of the California National Guard and warned that such actions were “purposefully inflammatory,” adding that they would only worsen the situation rather than resolve it.
As tensions continue to mount, the deployment of the National Guard has sparked fears of further violence, deepening the already wide chasm between state and federal authorities on immigration enforcement.
Disclaimer:
This blog post is for informational purposes only. The content reflects ongoing events and public statements as reported by various media sources. It is not intended to support or oppose any political views or actions and should not be interpreted as legal or political advice.