Multiple cities across the United States are gearing up for protests scheduled for June 11, opposing President Donald Trump’s extensive immigration raids. As tensions rise, Los Angeles, the country’s second-largest city, has been placed under a curfew after five days of unrest.
Authorities are also bracing for nationwide protests set for June 14, coinciding with a military parade in Washington marking the US Army’s 250th anniversary and President Trump’s 79th birthday.
In response to the anticipated demonstrations, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the deployment of the National Guard for the upcoming week. This decision follows reports of clashes between protesters and police in Austin on June 9.
Earlier in the week, protests erupted in major cities including Austin, New York, Atlanta, and Chicago, demonstrating nationwide discontent.
In an unprecedented move, President Trump has ordered the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles to manage protests, leading to a contentious national debate regarding military involvement on American soil. This has placed President Trump at odds with California’s Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, who has criticized the federal response as exacerbating the situation.
Governor Newsom accused President Trump of escalating tension, stating that his actions have endangered citizens, police, and even the National Guard. In a video address on June 10, Newsom described Trump’s strategy as a “brazen abuse of power,” claiming it ignited a volatile situation.
“He again chose escalation. He chose more force. He chose theatrics over public safety… Democracy is under assault,” he declared, signaling his disapproval of federal interventions.
In response to these developments, both Governor Newsom and the state of California have initiated legal action against President Trump and the Department of Defense to halt the troop deployment. President Trump suggested that Newsom should be arrested for his opposition.
As of June 10, hundreds of Marines were arriving in the Los Angeles area, while an additional 4,000 National Guard troops had also been assigned to the city. These forces are intended for the protection of government personnel and buildings rather than direct policing.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed concern over the federal deployment, asserting that local police could effectively manage the protests, the majority of which remained peaceful and confined to a limited area. However, due to incidents of looting and nighttime violence, Bass imposed a curfew in a one-square-mile zone of downtown Los Angeles, which is expected to last for several days.
Despite the curfew, law enforcement reported that various groups defied the order, leading to “mass arrests” in certain areas.
Democratic leaders have expressed alarm over the potential for a national crisis, as the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to deport undocumented migrants while suppressing public dissent. This pattern of unrest is particularly significant in light of Trump’s re-election in 2024, partially driven by his promises to ramp up deportation efforts.
During a speech on June 10 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, President Trump defended his decision to deploy troops, framing his comments around the sacrifices of American soldiers. He asserted, “Generations of army heroes did not shed their blood on distant shores only to watch our country be destroyed by invasion and third-world lawlessness.”
Trump characterized the protests in California as a “full-blown assault on peace, on public order and on national sovereignty.” He accused the demonstrators of waving foreign flags to show solidarity with migrants targeted in the immigration raids.
The Department of Homeland Security had announced on June 9 that its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division had been arresting approximately 2,000 immigration offenders per day—a steep increase from the average of 311 daily arrests in fiscal year 2024 during the Biden administration.
Protests have also transitioned to other major cities, where demonstrators have engaged in confrontations with law enforcement. In Chicago, some protesters climbed onto the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza, chanting for the abolition of ICE.
Governor Abbott confirmed that the Texas National Guard will be deployed to various locations to help maintain order. He emphasized, “Peaceful protest is legal. Harming a person or property is illegal and will lead to arrest.”
Demonstrations against ICE are anticipated in South Texas on June 11 and June 14, as local organizations mobilize against the enforcement actions.
California Attorney-General Rob Bonta has voiced concerns regarding the deployment of federal troops to protect personnel, warning that such actions could violate an 1878 law prohibiting military involvement in civilian law enforcement.
He noted that “protecting personnel” could inadvertently lead to the military supporting ICE operations within communities.
On June 10, ICE shared images on social media showing National Guard troops accompanying ICE agents during immigration raids, a move that has fueled criticism and calls to intensify protests.
Previous military interventions for civilian law enforcement dates back to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, when then-Governor Pete Wilson sought assistance from President George H.W. Bush following the unrest stemming from the acquittal of officers involved in the Rodney King beating.
In light of these developments, cities across the United States are on high alert for potential protests that underline a deeply divided national dialogue on immigration and the role of federal force in civil society.
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