Tensions in Los Angeles escalated dramatically on Sunday as thousands of protesters took to the streets in response to a controversial deployment of the National Guard by President Donald Trump. The unrest involved blocking a major freeway and setting fire to autonomous vehicles, prompting local law enforcement to use tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs to control the crowd.
Police units patrolled the streets on horseback, while others clad in riot gear lined up behind National Guard troops who had been deployed to protect federal facilities, including a detention center where some immigrants had recently been taken.
This wave of clashes marked the third day of demonstrations against Trump’s immigration crackdown in the Los Angeles area, with the arrival of approximately 300 federal troops heightening anger and fear among residents. By midday, a large crowd had gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, where individuals were being held following earlier immigration raids. Protesters chanted sentiments of “shame” and “go home” directed at the National Guard members, who stood firmly with long guns and riot shields.
The situation worsened as some demonstrators approached Guard members closely, leading to an aggressive response from uniformed officers who fired smoke-filled canisters into the throng. The Los Angeles Police Department then resorted to deploying rounds of crowd-control munitions to disperse the assembled protesters, whom they deemed unlawful. Following this, many protesters shifted their efforts to block traffic on the 101 freeway until California Highway Patrol officers moved in to clear them from the roadway by late afternoon.
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed concerns over the heightened tensions in his letter to President Trump. He characterized the presence of the Guard as “inflaming tensions” and previously requested the removal of National Guard troops, labeling the deployment a “serious breach of state sovereignty.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed Newsom’s sentiment in a press conference, stating, “What we’re seeing in Los Angeles is chaos that is provoked by the administration. This is about another agenda; this isn’t about public safety.”
In response, President Trump defended the deployment, claiming it was necessary due to what he described as failures by Governor Newsom and other Democrats to contain recent protests targeting immigration agents. This marked a significant escalation, as it appeared to be the first time in decades that a state’s National Guard had been activated without a request from its governor.
The deployment of troops followed two days of protests that initially began in downtown Los Angeles on Friday and spread to surrounding areas over the weekend, including Paramount and Compton—both heavily Latino communities. Demonstrators clashed with federal agents on Saturday as they attempted to blockade Border Patrol vehicles, resulting in agents using tear gas, flash-bang explosives, and pepper balls in response to the unrest.
These protests were fueled by a series of immigration sweeps conducted by authorities that resulted in over 100 arrests in the city during the preceding week. One prominent union leader was arrested for allegedly obstructing law enforcement while protesting. Although substantial, these protests remained smaller than previous events that triggered National Guard deployments, such as the Watts riots, the Rodney King riots, and the 2020 protests against police violence, during which Governor Newsom requested federal troop assistance.
Historical context indicates that the last instance of the National Guard being activated without a governor’s permission occurred in 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to protect a civil rights march in Alabama, an event noted by the Brennan Center for Justice.
In a directive issued on Saturday, President Trump invoked a legal provision that allows him to deploy federal personnel when there is “a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.” According to reports, he authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard members in response to the ongoing situation.
During a press briefing while preparing for departure on Air Force One from Morristown, New Jersey, Trump characterized the demonstrators as “violent people” and vowed to address their actions. When questioned about the possibility of sending active-duty troops to Los Angeles, he asserted, “We’re gonna have troops everywhere. We’re not going to let this happen to our country.” Trump did not provide further details regarding his intentions.
Additionally, President Trump warned that California officials obstructing deportation efforts could face legal consequences, referencing a recent arrest of a judge in Wisconsin accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities. He stated, “If officials stay in the way of law and order, yeah, they will face charges.”
Although reports indicate that Governor Newsom spoke with Trump briefly on Friday night for approximately 40 minutes, it remains unclear if further discussions took place over the weekend. A notable incident occurred when Trump publicly praised the National Guard’s efforts, but shortly thereafter, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass clarified that troops had yet to arrive in the city.
On Sunday, Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused California politicians and protesters of “defending heinous illegal alien criminals at the expense of Americans’ safety.” She added that instead of rioting, individuals should express gratitude to ICE officers for safeguarding communities.
The troops deployed included members of the California Army National Guard’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, according to a social media update from the Department of Defense.
The aggressive approach of the Trump administration was further highlighted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who threatened to send active-duty Marines to the area “if violence continues.” Roughly 500 Marines stationed 125 miles east of Los Angeles were reported to be on a “prepared to deploy status” as of Sunday afternoon.
In contrast, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders criticized Trump’s actions, claiming they reflect “a president moving this country rapidly into authoritarianism” and that he is exceeding the powers of Congress. Meanwhile, former Vice President Kamala Harris interpreted the immigration arrests and the National Guard deployment as a deliberate attempt to instill panic and division within communities. She voiced her support for those advocating to protect fundamental rights and freedoms.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a steadfast ally of President Trump, endorsed the deployment, asserting that Newsom’s failure to adequately manage the situation necessitated federal intervention.
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