June 8, 2025 - Los Angeles
In a dramatic escalation of ongoing unrest in Los Angeles, the federal government has deployed 2,000 National Guard troops amid growing protests sparked by recent immigration enforcement actions. The move comes as the situation in parts of the city intensifies, with reports of clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.
President Donald Trump authorized the deployment over the weekend, sharply criticizing state and local officials for what he described as a failure to maintain order. In a public statement, Trump suggested that if California’s leaders couldn’t restore peace, the federal government would “solve the problem” itself, referring to the demonstrations as being marked by “riots and looting.”
The deployment follows a series of immigration raids led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which resulted in over 100 arrests across the city, including a large-scale operation at a downtown warehouse. Authorities claim that the raids were targeted and legal, but protestors have accused federal agents of using excessive force and spreading fear in immigrant neighborhoods.
The unrest has prompted fierce debate among political leaders. California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly condemned the federal intervention, calling it unnecessary and provocative. “This action is not about public safety — it’s about political theater,” Newsom posted on social media. “Los Angeles has not asked for this level of military response, and such measures only add fuel to an already tense situation.”
Local law enforcement officials also voiced concerns about the optics and implications of military involvement. Mayor Karen Bass has maintained that city agencies were already working to de-escalate tensions and that coordination with state-level resources was sufficient.
Meanwhile, the protests have led to several arrests, including that of labor leader David Huerta, whose detention drew condemnation from civil rights groups and politicians. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the arrest, calling it “an assault on freedom of speech and peaceful protest.”
Homeland Security officials, however, stood by the federal response. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons defended the raids and the National Guard deployment, asserting that public safety was the top priority. “This operation is about enforcing the law and protecting communities,” he said.
As tensions continue to simmer, both sides remain at odds over how to handle the unfolding crisis — with protesters vowing to keep up the pressure, and the federal government signaling that it’s prepared to take further action if needed.
