LA Protests Live: Trump Demands ‘Bring in the Troops’ After Dozens Arrested and Reports of Looting
What sparked the LA immigration protests, and how have they evolved over the past few days?
Los Angeles is in the spotlight as protests against immigration raids have sparked chaos in the city. For days, thousands of people have taken to the streets, clashing with police and federal agents.
The situation escalated when President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of National Guard troops, a move that has stirred debate and drawn sharp criticism from local leaders.
What’s happening in LA, and why has it become a battleground?
LA Protests Sparked by Immigration Raids
The unrest began after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids across Los Angeles, arresting over 100 people suspected of immigration violations.
These actions, part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, have fueled anger among residents, especially in heavily Latino areas like Paramount and Compton.
Protesters have blocked freeways, set cars on fire, and clashed with law enforcement, who have responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades.
Reports of looting in downtown LA, particularly around 6th Street and Broadway, have added to the tension. At least 60 protesters, including some juveniles, have been arrested for crimes ranging from vandalism to assault.
National Guard Deployment Stirs Controversy
On June 8, 2025, Trump authorized 2,000 National Guard troops to deploy to Los Angeles, a decision made without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Trump called the protests a “form of rebellion” and urged authorities to “bring in the troops” to restore order.
He also demanded the arrest of masked protesters, claiming they are hiding their identities to cause trouble.
Newsom called the deployment “unlawful” and “inflammatory,” accusing Trump of creating chaos for political gain.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed these concerns, urging residents to protest peacefully and avoid giving the administration the “spectacle” it seeks. The National Guard’s presence, alongside 500 Marines on standby, has heightened fears of further escalation.
Local Leaders and Residents Respond
California’s leaders have pushed back against Trump’s actions. Governor Newsom has threatened to sue the administration, calling the National Guard deployment “immoral” and a violation of state authority.
Mayor Bass emphasized that the city is not “out of control,” despite reports of violence, and asked residents to avoid vandalism and chaos.
Community leaders, like Angelica Salas from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, say the raids are terrorizing communities, targeting hardworking people.
Meanwhile, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, defended the raids, claiming they target “child sex offenders, gang members, and national security threats.”
The divide between local and federal authorities has deepened, leaving residents caught in the middle.
The protests, now in their fourth day as of June 9, 2025, show no signs of slowing down. Downtown LA has been declared an “unlawful assembly” area, and police are considering a curfew to curb the violence.
While much of the city continues its daily routine, the clashes have raised questions about immigration policy, federal overreach, and the right to protest.
As tensions rise, Los Angeles remains a focal point for a national debate on immigration and law enforcement.
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