President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after mass protests erupted across the city in response to a wave of controversial immigration raids by federal agents.
The move marks one of the most aggressive uses of military force in a U.S. city in decades and has ignited fierce political backlash from California leaders. The unrest has now entered its third day.
ICE Raids Spark Flashpoint
The protests began after federal immigration officials conducted a series of coordinated raids on June 6 and 7 in communities across Los Angeles County, including Compton and Paramount. Dozens were arrested, including individuals with no prior criminal record. By the end of the operation, at least 44 people were in federal administrative custody and over 100 were detained overall.
Videos from the scenes show ICE agents in tactical gear detaining individuals in front of family members, sparking outrage among immigrant rights groups and civil liberties advocates.
Streets Blocked, Protests Escalate
Demonstrators flooded major intersections and freeways over the weekend, including the 101 and 110, forcing traffic to a standstill. Protesters waved flags, shouted “Abolish ICE,” and held up signs that read “No Human Is Illegal” and “Stop the Raids.”
The protests quickly turned confrontational. Federal agents and local law enforcement deployed tear gas, flash-bangs, and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. On Sunday, police issued dispersal orders at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown L.A., where detainees were reportedly being processed.
Trump Bypasses State Authority, Deploys Troops
Late Saturday, President Trump signed a directive under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, authorizing the deployment of National Guard troops without the approval of California Governor Gavin Newsom. This bypass of state authority is rarely used and recalls historic federal actions like the 1965 Selma marches and the 1992 L.A. riots.
By Sunday morning, more than 300 troops were already deployed, and the full 2,000 are expected to arrive this week. Armored vehicles and military police were seen patrolling areas near federal buildings, including the immigration court downtown.
“We are restoring law and order in our cities,” Trump said in a Sunday morning post on Truth Social. “These radical left-wing mobs will not dictate U.S. immigration policy.”
Local Leaders Condemn Federal Action
California leaders immediately denounced the deployment.
“This is not law and order — this is provocation,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “This is the federal government using military force against its own citizens for exercising their right to protest.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the National Guard presence would only “escalate tensions” and urged the White House to “reconsider its inflammatory actions.”
Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU and Human Rights Watch, are exploring legal options to challenge the deployment, calling it a violation of constitutional protections against military policing.
Waymo suspends service in protest area after its vehicles burn
Waymo, which provides driverless rides, is suspending its service in downtown Los Angeles after multiple vehicles erupted in flames amid protests.
“We will not be serving any rides in the protest area until it is deemed safe,” a Waymo spokesperson said.
Protesters Defiant, More Demonstrations Planned
The protests have drawn a broad coalition of groups, including immigrant rights organizations, labor unions, and activist collectives like 50501 — a decentralized protest movement formed earlier this year.
“We won’t be intimidated by troops or tear gas,” said Maricela Reyes, a community organizer in Boyle Heights. “This is about families being torn apart in our neighborhoods.”
Social media campaigns are calling for continued protests throughout the week, including a mass demonstration planned for Wednesday outside the ICE Field Office.
National Implications
The situation in Los Angeles is quickly becoming a national flashpoint in the 2024 campaign season. Trump has made immigration enforcement a cornerstone of his second term, reviving family separation tactics and pushing for new deportation quotas.
Meanwhile, critics argue the federal show of force in California is meant to send a political message.
“This is a test case for martial enforcement of federal immigration policy,” said constitutional law scholar Linda Chavez. “It will have ripple effects across the country.”
What Happens Next
- Legal challenges to the Title 10 deployment could begin this week.
- More protests are planned throughout Los Angeles, including outside federal courthouses and military staging sites.
- Congressional hearings may be called to investigate the use of federal troops on U.S. soil in a domestic protest context.
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