National Guard Hits L.A. Streets: Trump’s Response to Violent Immigration Protests Sparks Outrage

June 8, 2025 | Boncopia.com | News & Politics: U.S. News & Politics

Los Angeles is on edge. On Sunday, June 8, 2025, hundreds of California National Guard troops rolled into the city, deployed by President Donald Trump to quell protests that turned violent after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids swept through the nation’s second-largest city. The raids, part of Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, have ignited a firestorm of unrest, with clashes between demonstrators and federal agents escalating into chaos. From burning cars to tear gas and arrests, the streets of L.A. have become a battleground over immigration policy. As tensions soar, California’s leaders slam the move as “inflammatory,” while the White House doubles down on “law and order.” Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for America’s future.

The Spark: ICE Raids Trigger Protests

It all began on Friday, June 6, 2025, when ICE agents conducted sweeping raids across Los Angeles, targeting workplaces like a clothing warehouse, a Home Depot, and a doughnut shop. At least 118 people were arrested on alleged immigration violations, with some legally residing immigrants caught in the dragnet, sparking outrage. Protesters, chanting “Free them all!” and “ICE out of L.A.,” gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown L.A., where detainees were held. Some spray-painted anti-ICE graffiti, while others blocked streets, escalating tensions with federal agents.

By Saturday, protests spread to Paramount and Compton, predominantly Latino areas, where demonstrators waved Mexican and Palestinian flags and clashed with law enforcement. Videos captured chaotic scenes: a car burning on Atlantic Boulevard, flash-bang grenades lighting up the night, and federal agents in riot gear firing tear gas and pepper balls. At least 20 people were arrested in Paramount, with two deputies injured by a Molotov cocktail and others hit by rocks and bottles. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department declared unlawful assemblies, and the stage was set for a federal response.

Trump’s Move: National Guard Deployed

On Saturday night, President Trump signed a memorandum deploying 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles, citing “violent mobs” attacking ICE officers as a “form of rebellion.” The first 300 troops arrived early Sunday, staging outside federal buildings like the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and the Metropolitan Detention Center. Trump’s order, enacted under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, bypassed California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s authority, a rare move not seen since 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to protect civil rights marchers in Alabama.

The White House defended the deployment, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating it was necessary to “ensure the laws of the United States are executed fully.” Border Czar Tom Homan warned that anyone impeding ICE operations, including elected officials like Newsom or L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, could face felony charges. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth upped the ante, threatening to send active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton if violence persisted, a move that raised alarms about militarizing civilian protests.

California’s Pushback: “Purposefully Inflammatory”

Gov. Newsom called Trump’s order “purposefully inflammatory,” arguing there was no shortage of local law enforcement and that the deployment was meant to create a “spectacle.” In a statement on X, he urged protesters to remain peaceful, warning, “Don’t give them one.” Mayor Bass echoed this, calling the National Guard’s presence a “chaotic escalation” that sows “terror” in immigrant communities. Rep. Maxine Waters, addressing troops outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, demanded, “Who are you going to shoot?” and denounced the move as unnecessary.

Local leaders emphasized that L.A.’s police and sheriff’s departments were handling the situation, with 11 arrests for failure to disperse and minor injuries reported. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) disputed ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons’ claim that they delayed responding to Friday’s unrest, asserting they mobilized “as swiftly as conditions safely allowed.” California’s sanctuary state laws, which bar local police from assisting federal immigration enforcement, have fueled tensions with the Trump administration, which accuses local leaders of enabling “lawlessness.”

The Protests: A Community Under Siege

The protests reflect deep anger over Trump’s immigration policies, which include a goal of 3,000 ICE arrests per day nationwide. In L.A., raids targeted day laborers and workers, with reports of federal agents in unmarked vehicles sweeping up people outside Home Depot stores and garment factories. Advocates like Angelica Salas of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) called the raids an attack on “workers, fathers, and mothers.” Among those arrested was David Huerta, president of SEIU California, who was injured during his detention for allegedly blocking ICE vehicles. He faces arraignment on Monday, June 9.

Protesters, like 26-year-old teacher Gabriel Garcia in Paramount, described a community in fear, with some migrants locked inside businesses, afraid to leave. “Our community is under attack and is being terrorized,” Salas told a rally. On X, sentiments were mixed:@Reuters reported on the confrontations, while@ICEgov posted images of damaged property, vowing to continue enforcement. Critics, like Sen. Bernie Sanders, warned that Trump’s actions are “moving this country rapidly into authoritarianism,” while supporters, like Sen. James Lankford, argued the deployment aims to “de-escalate tensions.”

A City Divided: The Bigger Picture

Los Angeles, with its nearly 10 million residents and vast diversity, is a flashpoint for America’s immigration debate. The protests, while concentrated in pockets like Paramount and downtown L.A., have drawn national attention as part of Trump’s broader crackdown, which has seen over 100,000 ICE arrests in his first 100 days. The deployment of the National Guard, a tool typically reserved for natural disasters or major civil unrest like the 1992 Rodney King riots, marks a significant escalation. Critics argue it risks militarizing a city already grappling with economic and social challenges, while supporters see it as a necessary response to violence.

The unrest also highlights a clash between federal and local power. California’s sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with ICE, have long frustrated federal officials. Trump’s move to federalize the National Guard sidesteps these laws, raising questions about state sovereignty and the limits of presidential authority. Legal experts, like Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice, note that the Posse Comitatus Act restricts federal troops from civilian law enforcement unless explicitly authorized, making Hegseth’s Marine threat legally contentious.

What’s Next for L.A.?

As of Sunday, June 8, protests were expected to continue, with organizers calling for a third day of demonstrations at City Hall and federal buildings. Rep. Nanette Barragán warned of “30 days of ICE enforcement” in L.A. County, suggesting the National Guard’s presence may persist. While the city was relatively calm Sunday morning, the potential for further clashes looms, especially if more raids occur. The LAPD and Sheriff’s Department have pledged to protect peaceful protests but warned against violence, with Sheriff Robert Luna stating, “We do not want anyone to be harmed.”

On X, posts reflect the polarized mood:@CNN noted the National Guard’s arrival, while@ICEgov’s updates framed protesters as “rioters” destroying property. The White House’s rhetoric, calling demonstrations an “insurrection,” has inflamed tensions, with Stephen Miller accusing local leaders of fostering “violent insurrection.” Meanwhile, immigrant advocates vow to keep fighting, with networks offering legal aid and monitoring raids.

Why This Matters to You

The National Guard’s deployment in Los Angeles isn’t just a local story—it’s a signal of how far the Trump administration is willing to go to enforce its immigration agenda. For L.A.’s immigrant communities, the raids and military presence create fear and disruption. For the nation, it’s a test of federal power versus state rights, with implications for civil liberties and public safety. As protests continue and the 2025 mayoral race heats up, L.A. remains a crucible for America’s immigration debate, with the world watching how this unfolds.

Thought Questions:

1. Is Trump’s deployment of the National Guard a justified response to violent protests, or an overreach that risks escalating tensions in Los Angeles?

2. How should local leaders like Newsom and Bass balance protecting immigrant communities with maintaining public safety amid rising unrest?

3. With ICE planning 30 days of enforcement, what can L.A. residents and advocates do to ensure peaceful protests while addressing fears of deportation?

Sources: Information compiled from ABC News, NBC News, Reuters, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, AP News, CBS News, CNBC, Al Jazeera, NPR, BBC, and posts on X, accessed June 8, 2025.