Los Angeles protests turn violent; Trump deploys hundreds of National Guard troops: What triggered the outrage?
Tensions flared in Los Angeles on Sunday as demonstrators clashed with police and set cars ablaze, protesting a series of immigration raids and the controversial deployment of National Guard troops by United States President Donald Trump. The unrest marked the third consecutive day of protests in California’s most populous city.Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, which resulted in the arrests of several individuals alleged to be undocumented immigrants and gang members, have sparked outrage in the city’s large Latino community. The daylight raids and the federal response have only added fuel to the fire.The tension escalated after a large crowd gathered near the Los Angeles Federal Building at 4 pm to protest against the enforcement action, condemning the crackdown. The demonstrators called for the freedom of Service Employees International Union California President David Huerta. According to the labour union’s statement, Huerta sustained injuries and was taken into custody while recording documentation of the raid.
A car burns during a protest in Compton, Calif., Saturday, June 7, 2025, after federal immigration authorities conducted operations. (AP photo)
Protesters assembled outside Ambiance Apparel’s warehouse, offering legal guidance to those detained within. They positioned themselves atop a long bed truck in the street, causing traffic disruptions on the busy thoroughfare.California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned Trump’s move to bypass state authority and activate National Guard units without his consent. “We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,” Newsom wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed. Rescind the order. Return control to California.”
A protestor is detained in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP photo)
Here are the top 10 things to know about the LA protest:
- Protesters torched vehicles and disrupted traffic, while law enforcement responded with flash-bangs and smoke grenades to disperse crowds from key areas.
- At least three self-driving Waymo vehicles were set on fire, with two others vandalised, highlighting anger at both immigration policy and Silicon Valley’s presence.
- A major freeway was blocked for over an hour as protesters took to the roads before being pushed back by the
California Highway Patrol . - Soldiers from California’s 79th Infantry Brigade were stationed across the city, wearing full camouflage and armed with live rounds, prompting criticism that their presence was more about intimidation than order.
- Trump defended his decision, suggesting a broader deployment of troops may follow. He also hinted at invoking the Insurrection Act, which permits military use in domestic unrest.
- US Northern Command confirmed that around 500 Marines were in a “prepared to deploy” state to support federal operations if needed.
- Leading Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, slammed the deployment as a “dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos”.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump’s action, accusing governor Newsom of failing to maintain law and order in the state.
- Many demonstrators said the Guard’s presence was a scare tactic. “These protests have been peaceful,” protester Thomas Henning told news agency AFP. “It’s intimidation, plain and simple,” he added.
- Despite the unrest, a CBS News poll taken before the protests showed that a slight majority of Americans supported the ongoing immigration crackdown.
