On June 6, 2025,protests began inLos Angeles afterImmigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided several city locations to arrest individuals allegedly involved inillegal immigration to the United States. Some protests turned into riots after protestors clashed with theLos Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and ICE,[a] but most remained peaceful and occurred within a small stretch ofdowntown Los Angeles.[b]
On June 7, protestors and federal law enforcement agents clashed inParamount andCompton during raids. PresidentDonald Trump responded by federalizing theCalifornia National Guard, calling for 2,000 guard members to deploy to the city underJoint Task Force 51. Protests were organized and attended by multiple groups and unaffiliated protestors. On June 9, the president authorized the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard members, and thePentagon activated 700Marines to deploy to the city, who arrived the next day. Critics, including California governorGavin Newsom (whohas sued Trump over the federalization), described the military response as premature, inflammatory, for political gain, andauthoritarian.Reuters reported that the protests were the strongest domestic backlash to Trump since he took office in January, and became a focal point in a national debate over immigration, protest, theuse of federal force in domestic affairs, the boundaries of presidential power, and freedom of speech and assembly.
On July 11, U.S. District JudgeMaame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong concluded that the administration likely violated immigrants' rights and ordered a stop to immigration arrests without probable cause, alleging that the administration targeted California residents based on race, language and place of work.[45] The ruling was upheld by theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.[46] On September 3, U.S. District JudgeCharles Breyer ruled the deployment of the military illegal and a violation of thePosse Comitatus Act, and ordered the administration not to use National Guard or military troops for civilian law enforcement in California. Breyer found the rationale for deployment as contrived, writing that "There was no rebellion, nor was civilian law enforcement unable to respond to the protests and enforce the law."[47] Prosecutors failed to secure indictments for the majority of protestors charged and dropped several cases after DHS agents were found to have made false statements.[48]
The anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles inspiredadditional anti-ICE protests in other U.S. cities, such asNew York,Chicago, andDallas.
Protests and movements against ICE have been seen throughout the United States, with a major movement seen inAbolish ICE, which gained mainstream traction in June 2018, following theTrump administration family separation policy.[49][50] Prior protests against ICE and anti-mass deportations were seen in California in February 2025, shortly after Donald Trump's election in the2024 United States presidential election.[51][52]
In November 2024, following Trump's election, theLos Angeles City Council declared the city to be asanctuary city.[53][54] Trump'simmigration policy elicited concern from California's immigrant population.[55] Trump officials have warned that sanctuary cities would be the target of immigration crackdown efforts.[56] Duringhis 2024 presidential campaign, Trump said he would use the military to end protests without consent from state governors, actions which his aides had talked him out of during his first term.[57] He also stated he would use the military against "the enemy within".[58]
In May 2025, theTrump administration began to implement adeportation strategy that involved targeting workplaces.[59]
At approximately 9:15 a.m.PDT on June 6, an immigration raid was conducted within theLos Angeles Fashion District; two other raids occurred at a clothing wholesaler and aHome Depot inWestlake.[60][61] Agents present at the raid were identified withFederal Bureau of Investigation,Homeland Security Investigations, andBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives patches.[61] Homeland Security Investigations stated that 44 people were arrested for suspected immigration violations and one person was arrested for obstruction.[62][63]Bill Essayli, the actingUnited States attorney for the Central District of California, said thatDavid Huerta, the California president of theService Employees International Union, was arrested for blocking a vehicle and charged with felony conspiracy to impede an officer.[64][61] Huerta was injured and taken to the hospital, where he was transferred to theMetropolitan Detention Center.[65]Angelica Salas, the director of theCoalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, stated that there were seven raids in which 45 people had been detained.[53][66][42][67]
Clashes between protesters and ICE agents inriot gear occurred near the Westlake Home Depot. ICE also arrested several people at a clothing store and clashed with activists.[68] Crowds formed in the evening outside the Metropolitan Detention Center.[62] Approximately 200 protesters remained at the facility by 7 p.m., when theLos Angeles Police Department declared the protest to be anunlawful assembly and ordered protesters to disperse.[3] LAPD was brought to stop civil unrest after crowds graffitied slogans on a federal court building and gathered outside a jail.[69] After "some protesters hurled chunks of broken concrete toward officers", the LAPD engaged in intense standoffs with protestors in whichtear gas,pepper spray, andflash-bang grenades were used to disperse the crowd.[68][69] The police department authorized the use ofless-lethal munitions the following hour.[3][68] This was followed at 8:24 p.m. by a citywide tactical alert.[65]
Protests continued through June 7.[70] According to Peggy Lemons, the mayor ofParamount, California, a confrontation near a Home Depot in Paramount began after protesters observedDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS) officers staging near a local branch building.[71][c] The DHS estimated that one thousand people were protesting and had surrounded the building.[70][75] According toThe New York Times, the protests have delayed processing of detainees.[70] California GovernorGavin Newsom announced thatCalifornia Highway Patrol units would be deployed to protect Los Angeles freeways.[76] By June 7, 118 undocumented immigrants had been arrested in Los Angeles, according to the DHS.[77]
In Paramount, protestors blocked a street with shopping carts and a recycling bin. Federal agents then deployedflash bang grenades andpepper balls, injuring two people.[71] Protesters threw rocks and cement atUnited States Border Patrol cars.[78] According to an attorney with theCoalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, some protestors were throwing bricks, and others looked injured. At 2:30 p.m., LAPD issued a dispersal order usingloudspeakers.Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies then used tear gas against the protesters to disperse them. One ICE agent sustained injuries after a rock thrown by a protestor struck the windshield on the vehicle they were driving and cut their hand.[71] At around 8 p.m., two people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting police officers, including one who allegedly threw aMolotov cocktail, causing minor injuries to three deputies.[71]
Protesters also gathered at the Metropolitan Detention Center inDowntown Los Angeles, with law enforcement forming a skirmish line to disperse the protesters.[79][80] Shortly before 11 p.m., protestors threw an object at and hit apolice cruiser as it was leaving the area at an intersection in Downtown Los Angeles.[81] By night, the protests reachedCompton, where several demonstrators threw glass bottles filled with a substance that reportedly smelled likegasoline.[82][83]
In an interview withFox News, White House Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal OperationsTom Homan announced that theNational Guard would be sent into Los Angeles that night.[84] That evening, PresidentDonald Trump signed a memorandum deploying 2,000 members of theCalifornia National Guard to the protests; the memorandum specified that the deployment would last for either 60 days, or for a length of time "at the discretion of the secretary of defense".[83][85] Trump invoked10 U.S.C. § 12406 to federalize the National Guard.[86][87] In atweet,Secretary of DefensePete Hegseth stated that active dutyMarines were on "high alert" atCamp Pendleton.[88][89]
Protests died down in the early morning of June 8, but were still ongoing, with organizers calling for another day of protesting.[90] At 11:30 a.m.,Centro CSO held a rally followed by a march to the detention center in downtown Los Angeles.[91][92] Protests outside ofLos Angeles City Hall occurred around 2 p.m.[93]
Three hundredCalifornia Army National Guard troops from the79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team[94] were deployed to three separate locations in Los Angeles;[95][96] most of the troops were seen outside of federal buildings.[96] Under the direction of Hegseth, approximately 500 active-duty Marines from theMarine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms were put on a "prepared to deploy" status.[97][98] At the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), the National Guard and DHS officers used smoke and pepper spray to displace protesters and make way for DHS, Border Patrol, and military vehicles to enter the facility.[99] National Guard troops also arrived outside the MDC.[100] Police had arrived to join the National Guard by noon.[96][failed verification]
Homan commented, while speaking toNBC News, that "someone's going to lose their life" if the protests continued, also noting that governor of CaliforniaGavin Newsom and mayor of Los AngelesKaren Bass could potentially face federal charges over the response to the ICE raids.[96][101] Trump later threatened to "have troops everywhere" if the protests spread to other cities and said "if we see danger to our country and our citizens", the Marines would be deployed to the city.[102]
At 2:30 p.m., the LAPD Central Division announced that the City of Los Angeles is on "tactical alert".[103] The LAPD Central Division later announced that less-lethal munitions had been authorized for use to disperse the protest, people throwing objects at officers would be arrested, and that theIncident Commander had declared anunlawful assembly.[104] Two LAPD officers were injured after motorcyclists attempted to breach a skirmish line and hit them at a protest in the Alameda and Temple area. Both riders were detained and the officers were treated at the scene.[105] The Los Angeles Police Department announced that a number of people were arrested at theCivic Center area of Downtown Los Angeles, including several people who were detained and handcuffed withzip ties.[106]
Before 4 p.m., protestors entered theU.S. 101 freeway in downtown Los Angeles and blocked traffic, causing police to subsequently shut down the freeway in both directions.[107] The LAPD announced that parts of the freeway and multiple streets were closed to drivers as a result of protests.[108] Police reported people were shooting fireworks at officers. Rocks, scooters, and cinder blocks were thrown at police cars. People attempted to set police cruisers on fire. Protesters also threw cinder blocks at police officers and other people.[109] FiveWaymo driverless cars were vandalized, set alight, and destroyed. LAPD officials warned that burning lithium-ion batteries releases toxic gasses.[110] The following day, Waymo suspended service and removed their vehicles in Downtown Los Angeles. A spokesperson for the company said they do not believe the cars were intentionally targeted. The service remained in operation in other areas of Los Angeles.[111] At around 4 p.m., Newsom sent a letter to Secretary Hegseth requesting him to rescind Trump's order to deploy the National Guard, calling it a "serious breach of state sovereignty".[112]
By night, the LAPD also announced on their social media that the entire downtown Los Angeles area was considered to be an unlawful assembly and urged everyone to leave the area.[113][114]
The LAPD reported thatlooting had occurred at Downtown Los Angeles stores in the area of6th Street andBroadway, as well as near 8th Street and Broadway.[115][116][117] Also, several fires were reportedly set in dumpsters and trash bins. Numerous buildings, including theLos Angeles Police Department headquarters, theUnited States Courthouse, and the oldLos Angeles Times Building, weretagged withgraffiti. At least one store had windows shattered by alleged looters.[118] Multiple windows at the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters were also broken.[118]
TheUnited States Northern Command established a formal task force,Task Force 51, to coordinate the military response. An official statement said "as USNORTHCOM's land component command,U.S. Army North stood up Task Force 51, with a two-star general, as the ground command and control element over the Title 10 forces."[94][d] The task force was commanded by Major GeneralScott Sherman.[120]
Late in the night, the City ofGlendale, California, decided to terminate its detention agreement with ICE, in part as a reaction to the protests and unrest in Los Angeles.[121]
In the early afternoon of June 9, SEIU organized a rally atGrand Park with thousands of participants.[122][123] SenatorsAdam Schiff (D-CA) andAlex Padilla (D-CA) sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security andDepartment of Justice demanding that a review of the arrest of Huerta be performed.[124] Huerta was released later that afternoon from custody on a $50,000 bond.[125] Centro CSO held a press conference followed by a rally at Mariachi Plaza at 5:30 p.m., followed by a march to Hollenbeck Police Station inBoyle Heights.
Protestors vandalized a federal building with graffiti and chanted "National Guard, Out of LA", "ICE out of LA", "Trump out of LA" and "Shame on you" in the streets. Guards withriot shields warned protestors to stay off of the property and stick to the sidewalk.[126] Several images and videos were posted online showing masked protesters burning and spitting onAmerican flags.[127] After night fell, many protesters were detained with zip-ties before being loaded onto a Los Angeles Police Department bus. Other protestors threw objects at police, including fireworks. ATelemundo news van was also vandalized by protestors.[128] Police threw flash bangs and shot rubber bullets at a crowd of protestors downtown after telling people to clear the area and stop throwing things on a loudspeaker.[129] Several stores were looted including anApple Store, anAdidas store, a jewelry store, and pharmacies.[130] The words "No ICE" were spray painted on broken store windows.[131] The Los Angeles Police Department declared a tactical alert adding that "all uniformed personnel are to remain on duty".[132] Around 9 p.m.,CNN correspondentJason Carroll was detained and two of his camera crew were arrested.[133] As of 9:30 p.m., police officers and deputies still maintained a large presence, but all protesters had left the area, and a cleanup effort had begun to cleardebris in the streets, sweep up glass, and paint over messages/graffiti.[134]
Speaking to reporters at theWhite House, Trump described the protesters as "insurrectionists" and then later viaTruth Social while also placing the blame on Governor Newsom.[135][136] Many in the media speculated that this language could give him a rationale for invoking the1807 Insurrection Act.[64] Trump further suggested that Governor Newsom should be arrested, saying, "I would do it if I were Tom", referring to Tom Homan, whom Newsom has taunted to go to California to arrest him. Newsom responded shortly after, saying: "This is a day I hoped I would never see in America" and "this is an unmistakable step towardauthoritarianism."[137]
By midday, the number of National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles had increased from 300[94] to 1,000.[19] CNN andNBC 4 Los Angeles reported that, perthe Pentagon, 700Marines fromMarine Corps Base Twentynine Palms—drawn from the2nd Battalion, 7th Marines—would deploy to Los Angeles alongside the National Guard.[21][94][138][139][140] The same day, an additional 2,000 National Guard members were authorized by Trump for deployment, bringing the total to more than 4,100.[19][20]United States Northern Command stated the forces would operate under "Task Force 51", which referred to the military designation of LA forces.[141] The Trump administration promoted that more troops were in LA than serving in Iraq or Syria, and suggested more troops would be deployed in more cities.[142]
Media reports described soldiers as not receiving sufficient tents, portable bathrooms, or dumpsters when they were deployed to Los Angeles, and that it was unknown where the soldiers would sleep as of June 9. Senior military leaders said the soldiers would continue sleeping on floors or outdoors until June 12, at which point federal officials would decide whether to make plans for more permanent lodging.[143]The Guardian reported that several dozen Marines and California National Guard troops were "deeply unhappy" about the deployment and felt like "pawns in a political battle they do not want to join".[44]
Late Monday night, theSan Francisco Chronicle published a leaked letter from Secretary of Homeland SecurityKristi Noem to US Defense SecretaryPete Hegseth that requested "[d]irection to DoD forces to either detain, just as they would at any federal facility guarded by military, lawbreakers underTitle 18 until they can be arrested and processed by federal law enforcement, or arrest them." Noem also asked for "drone surveillance support" as well as weapons and logistics assistance in Los Angeles.[144]
Further protests occurred in the afternoon of June 10 in the downtown area outside the300 North Los Angeles Street Federal Building, theEdward R. Roybal Federal Building, and the Metropolitan Detention Center.[145][146][147] The gathering was declared an unlawful assembly by the LAPD slightly after 2 p.m.[145][146] Police began arrests of the protesters around 3 p.m. following a dispersal order.[145] Protestors also again moved onto the US 101 freeway briefly, before being dispersed by police.[148][149][150]
By June 10, the number of National Guard members deployed to Los Angeles had reached 2,100.[151][152] National Guardsmen began being seen accompanying and protecting ICE agents as they made immigration arrests.[153][154] The 700 Marines that had been deployed also arrived in the greater Los Angeles area on this day.[151][152]
Mayor Bass declared a localstate of emergency and announced acurfew covering just over 1 square mile (2.6 km2) of downtown Los Angeles from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., due to concerns over thevandalism by graffiti of 23 businesses and the looting of others.[155][156][157][158] The area under curfew is bordered by theI-5,I-10, andI-110 freeways. The affected neighborhoods includedFashion District,Financial District,Skid Row,Arts District, andChinatown.[159] A woman walking near her residence was shotpoint blank by LAPD with less lethal ammunition.[160][161]Los Angeles Metro Rail andMetro Bus service through downtown was also curtailed for approximately one hour before being resumed.[162]
Three separate protests occurred in downtown Los Angeles in the afternoon of June 11.[163] An hour before the 8 p.m. curfew took effect, LAPD officers at City Hall declared one such anunlawful assembly,[164][165] whereuponmounted police charged at the protestors and munitions were fired; batons were also used.[165]
Councilmember Mario Trujillo reported that immigration raids took place on June 11 at multiple locations inDowney, including Home Depot,LA Fitness, on the sidewalk in front of theOur Lady of Perpetual Help Church, and at the Downey Memorial Christian Church.[166] Immigrant rights organizationCHIRLA estimated that based on reports from family members, approximately 300 immigrants have been detained from June 6 to June 11. The organization stated it was unable to determine the locations of many of the detained people, having only been able to speak to five in federal detention.[167]
In Boyle Heights, at the intersection of Calzona Street onWhittier Boulevard, masked DHS agents in unmarked cars pinned and rammed a vehicle occupied by four civilians; a US citizen[citation needed] named Christian Damian Cerno-Camacho, his wife, and their two infant children.[168][169] Agents fired a pepper ball into the Mercedes sedan and ordered Cerno-Camacho out of the vehicle at gunpoint, detaining and driving off with him. Bystanders provided support to Cerno-Camacho's wife and children, and filed an incident report with LAPD.[169] TheLos Angeles Fire Department and LAPD responded to the scene, the former stating there was no evidence of a crash and no need for paramedics.[170] A store's security footage of the incident spread on social media; in response, Department of Homeland Security confirmed they were responsible onTwitter, stating "This was nohit and run. This was a targeted arrest of a violent rioter who punched aCBP officer. When Homeland Security Investigations tried to arrest Christian Damian Cerno-Camacho for the assault, he attempted to flee. He was ultimately arrested and taken into custody."[168][169]
There were no reports of protests or demonstrations in downtown LA on the morning of June 12.[171]
After Senator Alex Padilla interjected and attempted to ask a question at a press conference held by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in LA, he was forcibly removed.[172][173] Once outside the room, he was pushed face-down to the ground and handcuffed.[174] In a statement afterwards, Padilla said: "If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question ... I can only imagine what they are doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers throughout the Los Angeles community, and throughout California and throughout the country." The episode sparked outrage among lawmakers, demanding an investigation.[172] Just before Padilla was removed from the press conference, Noem said that the administration planned to "liberate" Los Angeles from the governor's and mayor's "burdensome leadership".[175]
Senior US District JudgeCharles Breyer ruled that Trump's federalization of California's National Guard was illegal and ordered him to return control of the troops to the State of California by mid-day the next day.[176] The Ninth Circuit appeals court immediately blocked the order to give Trump one week to appeal.[177]
Trump, in a Truth Social post, announced a stop on ICE raids at farms, hotels and restaurants, citing the negative impact of the raids on the agriculture, hotel, and leisure industries.[178][179] In addition to residents in the curfew zone, persons going to and from work, first responders, and those responding to emergencies, who were already exempted, curfew exemptions were also granted to attendees of events at theMark Taper Forum andDorothy Chandler Pavilion, which were cancelled previous nights.[180]
On June 13, the Marines detained a civilian outside theWilshire Federal Building, the first known instance of them doing so at the Los Angeles protests.[181]
On June 14, multiple"No Kings" protests were held in Los Angeles[182][183][184] together with the ongoing anti-ICE protests.[9] At 12:02 p.m., the LAPD issued a traffic warning for the Civic Center, theHistoric Core, and the Financial District due to the combined protests.[185] A crowd numbering a few hundred protested in front of the Los Angeles Federal Building, booing and chanting "shame" at the Marines and National Guard members stationed there.[186] At around 5:00 p.m., three hours before the curfew, police dispersed a crowd of 30,000 protestors atGrand Park, firing tear gas and rubber bullets.[187] At least one demonstrator was hospitalized with a head injury from a rubber bullet.[188] Multiple LAPD officers were alsohit by rubber bullets and tear gas canisters fired by LASD.[189] The crowd was later dispersed from the Federal Building by police.[190]
On June 17, the Trump administration activated an additional 2,000 National Guard troops from the49th Military Police Brigade to Los Angeles.[191]
On the morning of June 17, a 20-year-oldWalmart employee and U.S. citizen witnessedBorder Patrol agents arresting another employee in front of the store inPico Rivera. After he moved the other employee's trash can in front of the agents' vehicle, agents shoved the first employee to the ground and arrested him, with prosecutorBill Essayli claiming he punched an agent in the face, though bystander video did not show this. That night, friends of the arrested employee held a protest in Pico Rivera, chanting "ICE out of Pico" and waving Mexican and American flags.[192]
Trump reversed his own policy on agriculture, hotel, and other worksite raids from June 12.[193][194] He also released a statement on social media directing ICE to prioritize deportations in Democratic-run cities, listing Los Angeles,Chicago andNew York City as examples.[195]
The downtown Los Angeles curfew was ended by Bass; it had been modified to run from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the previous night.[196]
On June 18, roughly 500 California National Guard soldiers attached to Task Force 51 were deployed to assist multiple federal law enforcement agencies in raids on a large marijuana growth operation 130 miles from Los Angeles in the easternCoachella Valley. A NORTHCOM spokesperson stated that the "catalyst of this order was related to events occurring in Los Angeles; however, the president's order and NORTHCOM's mission is not constrained by the geography of Southern California".[197]
On June 19, protesters gathered outsideDodger Stadium after theLos Angeles Dodgers reported that ICE agents attempted to enter and were turned away. DHS disputed this, saying the agents were from CBP and that they were not attempting to enter the stadium. A scheduled game between the Dodgers and theSan Diego Padres was held as planned.[198]
JudgesMark J. Bennett,Eric D. Miller, andJennifer Sung of theU.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed Judge Breyer's June 12 order and granted Trump's motion for a stay pending appeal.[199][200] This reversal allows the federal government to maintain control of the National Guard in Los Angeles.[201]
Multiple immigration raids continued throughout Los Angeles County on June 20, including the suburb area ofBell, where federal agents were met by hundreds of protestors while attempting to arrest workers at a local car wash.[202]
The Los Angeles Dodgers released a statement that they will coordinate with the City of Los Angeles to help immigrant communities affected by the raids by donating$1 million for legal services. Vice PresidentJD Vance arrived in Los Angeles in the late afternoon and visited theWestwood Federal Building. He failed to meet state and local authorities, and denied all local press from attending his media conference, before leaving to attend a Republican National Committee fundraiser. He said that Los Angeles needs to be "liberated from immigrants" and mocked local officials, including calling his former senate colleague Senator Alex Padilla "José Padilla".[203]
On June 24, around 9:00 a.m., masked agents detained several people, including twostreet vendors and a US citizen, near East 9th Street and SouthSpring Street.[204][205][206] A crowd of people amassed protesting the arrests.[204][205] LAPD officers were deployed to the area around 9:10 a.m., after a 911 call reported akidnapping in progress, and began assisting agents withcrowd control.[207][208] A demonstration denouncing LAPD for collaborating with ICE was held outside LAPD headquarters in the afternoon.[208][209]
On July 7, roughly 90 Guardsmen joined several federal agencies in a "show of force" at a largely emptyMacArthur Park in Los Angeles for an hour before leaving. Defense officials stated it was not a military operation, but acknowledged the size and scope could make it look like one to the public.[210]
On July 15, 2,000 of the National Guard's 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were withdrawn from Los Angeles by the Pentagon.[211] This came almost a week after theU.S. Northern Command GeneralGregory Guillot requested toSecretary of DefensePete Hegseth if 200 national guards could be withdrawn and redeployed asCalifornia was entering into peak wildfire season.[212][213]
At a June 10 press conference, it was announced by Los Angeles officials that at least 23 businesses had been looted overnight, with losses and damages estimated in the millions.[214]
The Pentagon estimated the total deployment of 4,000 National Guard and 700 Marines would last 60 days and cost approximately $134 million.[215]
On June 10, theMinistry of Foreign Affairs announced that theIndonesian consulate in Los Angeles [id] has obtained information concerning the ICE detention of two Indonesian citizens and is coordinating with local authorities for access to consular assistance. The identities of the two Indonesian citizens are (initials) ESS, a 53-year-old woman, and Chrissahdah Tooy, a 48-year-old man. ESS was arrested due to her illegal immigrant status, and Tooy because he had a record of drug violations and entered the US illegally.[216][217][218]
Carlos González Gutiérrez, theconsul general of Mexico in Los Angeles, announced that at least 11 Mexican nationals were arrested by June 7, and that they would be offered legal services.[65] The following day, Mexican presidentClaudia Sheinbaum confirmed that 35 Mexican nationals had been arrested, and commented in a press conference that "[t]hey are not criminals".[219] On June 9, Sheinbaum urged U.S. authorities to respectdue process andhuman rights.[220]
On June 8, a solidarity protest outside the ICE office in San Francisco occurred. The protest ended with police arresting 148 people. Two police officers were injured during the protests and several buildings and vehicles were damaged.[221][222][223]
On June 9 inNew York City, another solidarity protest occurred outside of theJacob K. Javits Federal Building, ending with police taking multiple people into custody.[224] Two dozen more were arrested while protesting atTrump Tower.[225] Later, hundreds of protesters gathered in the streets of New York while holding signs saying "ICE out of New York City".[226] InSanta Ana, several people were arrested during protests in front of the Santa Ana Federal Building.[227] Police in multiple cities used tear gas to disperse protesters, including inAustin, Texas,[228] andDoraville, Georgia.[229]
At a protest inEmbry Hills, a suburb ofAtlanta, independent journalist andSalvadoran national Mario Guevara was arrested by local police. ICE then moved to detain Guevara, who has a validwork permit and is in the process of applying forpermanent resident status.[230][231]
Solidarity protests were also held in other cities, includingBoston,[232]Portland, Maine,[233]Salt Lake City,[234]Hartford,[235]Tampa,[236]Sacramento,[237]Dallas,[238]San Antonio,[239]Phoenix,[240] Atlanta,[241]Seattle,[242]Philadelphia,[243]Detroit,[244]Washington, D.C.,[245]Baltimore,[246]Chicago,[247]Las Vegas,[248]Louisville,[249]Raleigh,[250]Denver,[251]Jacksonville,[252]Omaha,[253] andKansas City.[254]
On June 10,Texas governorGreg Abbott deployedTexas National Guard troops to San Antonio and other locations across the state ahead of planned protests the next day.[255][256][257]
TheAssociated Press reported that by June 10, over two dozen journalists had been arrested or "roughed up" by law enforcement, leading press freedom groups to question whether or not they were being deliberately targeted.Reporters Without Borders reported 35 attacks on journalists, of which 30 were from law enforcement.[258] TheCommittee to Protect Journalists, theFirst Amendment Coalition, andFreedom of the Press Foundation expressed concern in a letter to DHS SecretaryKristi Noem that "federal officers appear to have deliberately targeted journalists who were doing nothing more than their job covering the news."[258] The secretary of theLos Angeles Press Club reported that the organization had documented more than 30 incidents where police actions affected reporters, photographers, and other media professionals, ranging from searching their materials and bags to firing tear gas and rubber bullets, and said the club was aware of 20 injuries to journalists during the protests, including at least five requiring medical attention.[259]
On June 8, Lauren Tomasi, a reporter for Australia'sNine News, was struck on the leg by a rubber bullet while reporting on the protests outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, where police were beginning to disperse the protesters.[260][28][261] Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese called the shooting "targeted" and said he had raised the issue with the Trump administration.[262] The AustralianDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade released a statement declaring that "all journalists should be able to do their work safely".[263] Albanese also described the footage of the reporter being shot by an officer as "horrific" and said he intended to raise the issue with the Trump administration over the incident.[262][264] Albanese and senatorMatt Canavan both said Tomasi's shooting appeared targeted, with Canavan adding he had only seen part of the footage and was "loth to jump to conclusions".[262][263]
That same day, while covering the protests, crew members from theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation were struck by tear gas.[265] On June 10, the same crew were struck by pepper pellets,[30] and a cameraman fromChannel Nine was shot at.[266]
On June 8, while covering protests in downtown Los Angeles, aXinhua News Agency reporter was hit twice by tear gas canisters, while a photojournalist was struck in the left leg by rubber bullets, resulting in a bruised and swollen wound.[267][268]
SBS reported on June 11 that one of their reporters was hit by police-fired rubber bullets during a protest.[269]
On June 7, British reporter and photographerNick Stern was shot with a less-than-lethal 3-inch (75 mm)projectile. He suffered anopen wound and underwentemergency surgery on June 8. His injuries will requirephysical therapy.[96][27]
On June 9, anITV presenter for the programGood Morning Britain was shot with a rubber bullet during a broadcast segment.[270]
On June 7,World Socialist Web Site reporters reportedly sustained injuries while documenting the protests, including a reporter who was shot in the back with a rubber bullet by a US immigration officer.[26] That same day, a reporter with theSouthern California News Group reported that she had been shot by officers with pepper ball bullets.[259]
On June 8, a reporter forThe New York Times was shot at but was not seriously injured.[31] On June 9, Toby Canham, a news photographer with theNew York Post was recordingCalifornia Highway Patrol officers stationed under a freeway to document the protests and response. While filming, one of the California Highway Patrol officers reportedly turned their weapon towards the gathered reporters and shot, striking Canham in the forehead with a rubber bullet.[271][272]
On June 10, crime reporter Ryanne Mena and videographer Sean Beckner-Carmitchel for theLos Angeles Daily News were shot by non-lethal rounds.[273]
Reuters reported that the protests were the strongest domestic backlash to Trump since he took office in January,[274] and became a focal point in a national debate over immigration, protest, the use of federal force in domestic affairs, the boundaries of presidential power, and freedom of speech and assembly.[66] It also reported the use of masks andbalaclavas by ICE agents raised concerns over a lack of accountability and intimidation tactics.[275] While some violence occurred, most of the protests were peaceful.[b] Trump's federalization of the National Guard without the cooperation of the state's governor was the first time such an action was done since theSelma to Montgomery marches in 1965.[276]
The Trump administration used social media to highlight the most violent clashes between protesters and federal authorities, although most remained peaceful.[42] TheMexican flag was used as a symbol by some protestors,[277][278] which the administration portrayed as evidencing a "foreign invasion".[42] Fake images, misinformation, and conspiracy theories spread quickly on social media during the protests, with most falsely suggesting the entire city was engulfed in violence, expressing outrage towards immigrants and Democrats, and praising Trump.[43]
The New York Times described the administration as seeking confrontation with Governor Newsom in "a showdown with a top political rival in a deep blue state over an issue core to his political agenda",[42] whichReuters described as allowing Trump to "tout his hardline immigration policies while claiming California was helpless to stop the violence without his intervention".[279]The Times stated that Democrats were taking a cautious approach to the protests and recognizing Republicans' "skillful" ability "to cast liberal lawmakers as tolerant of lawlessness", and warning protestors not to play into Trump's hands.[280]Axios described Trump using the protests to push Republicans to back hisOne Big Beautiful Bill Act in Congress and distract from coverage of it and his recentfeud with Elon Musk.[281] It also described it as providing "red meat" to his political base, with notable MAGA activists increasingly calling for further military deployment to arrest Democrats and legal residents who opposed his policies.[282]
Scholars described the protests as far different and bearing "little if any comparison" to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, with many noting that the current protests were largely peaceful, not directed at residents, had done comparatively little damage to houses or businesses, and were not widespread but contained to a five-block stretch ofDowntown LA.[41][40]
On June 10, the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles repudiated atweet byDonald Trump Jr. in which he wrote "MakeRooftop Koreans Great Again!" along with a photo of a man on a rooftop in a reference to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, during which Korean Americans shot atlooters who attacked their shops. The Federation called for such event to not be politically exploited for any purpose beyond saying theUnited States Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids lackeddue process of law.[283] Hyungwon Kang, the photojournalist who took the picture tweeted by Trump Jr., said that his photo was taken out of context by him and that he was in contact with a lawyer to take legal action after Trump Jr. did not answer his request to remove it from his account.[283]
While speaking with reporters, Attorney GeneralPam Bondi rejected the idea that Trump'spardon of January 6 United States Capitol attack defendants created a double standard with the Trump administration's more aggressive response to the violence and protests in Los Angeles. Governor Newsom responded that Trump was inconsistent in his response and only opposed lawlessness and violence as long as it benefited him.[284]
The New York Times described thefederalization and deployment of theCalifornia National Guard as Trump "pushing the boundaries of presidential authority and stoking criticism that he is inflaming the situation for political gain" by portraying the events as an "existential threat to the country",[42] and embracing the rhetoric of a nation under siege with Trump saying he needed to "liberate Los Angeles" from a "migrant invasion".[285] Other martial language included referring to protestors as "insurrectionists" and "violent insurrectionist mobs", that they threatened US sovereignty, that he needed to prevent LA from "burning to the ground", and that he would not allow "an American city to be invaded and conquered by a foreign enemy".[286] Communications experts described the language as militaristic, hyperbolic, inflammatory, and designed to discourage dissent.[287][288]
The Economist described the response as only barely concerned with restoring order,[289] and stated its purpose was to "create confrontation" and fuel a "cycle of protest, violence and repression" to the administration's benefit.[67]Politico described Trump's response as motivated by attempting to avoid a repeat of theGeorge Floyd protests when he was advised against deploying the military, as acting in his belief of a governing mandate by voters that fueled his 2024 election victory, and serving as a warning to other city and state leaders.[286] Internal military communications expressed concerns of "far-reaching social, political and operational" impacts of the deployment, and that use of military forces posed "extremely high" risk to civilians, troops, and the military's reputation.[290]
The New York Times reported that multiple legal scholars described Trump's legal rationale for deploying the National Guard as not authorized by his cited statutes, and that he instead appeared to be declaring dubious emergencies to amass executive power.[285]Politico described Trump's stated legal rationale as "a flimsy and even contrived basis for such a rare and dramatic step" according to several legal scholars and potentially fueling a cycle of increasing unrest.[291]
Analysts stated it was unclear under what authority Trump had deployed active-duty Marines to LA,[141] andThe Associated Press reported the Pentagon was "scrambling" to createrules of engagement for Marines who would be armed with their standard service weapons.[292] Law professorSteve Vladeck questioned the legality of actions undertaken by Defense SecretaryPete Hegseth during the response, which Vladeck believed exceed the limited proclamation by President Trump to protect property and personnel.[57]
TheMilitary Times reported that the military deployments raised significant legal and political concerns by experts and former defense officials, who noted its official orders to protect federal property placed the military in an "awkward and potentially hazardous mission" that "risks making the units look as though they are conducting law enforcement" and dragging it into partisan politics. It further described Trump's executive order to deploy the military in cities where protests were "likely to occur" as broad and potentially allowing forces to operate in other cities.[293] Former Major GeneralPaul Eaton described the deployment as an example of politicization of the military and a possible prelude to use of theInsurrection Act.[58]
Military.com reported that, as of June 11, California National Guard units deployed to Los Angeles had not received formal activation orders, and were ineligible for pay or health benefits.[294]
GovernorNewsom announced early in the morning of June 9 that his office intended to sue the Trump administration for deploying the National Guard without consulting with his office, calling it "illegal and immoral".[118]California attorney generalRob Bonta filed the suit later the same day in theDistrict Court for the Northern District of California,[295] where it was assigned to JudgeCharles Breyer, the brother of former Supreme Court justiceStephen Breyer.[296][297] The next day, Bonta filed an emergency request for a temporary restraining order, asserting that the federalization of the National Guard harms the state's sovereignty, draws on state resources, and "escalates tensions and promotes (rather than quells) civil unrest".[298] Breyer declined Bonta's request and granted theTrump administration's request for more time to respond to the governor's filing.[299] The administration filed its opposition on June 11, calling the suit a "crass political stunt" and arguing that Trump's decision is not reviewable by the courts.[300] On June 12, Breyer granted California's motion for a temporary restraining order, enjoining the federal deployment and restoring control of the Guard to Newsom pending further hearings. He said Trump did not have statutory authority to deploy the Guard and was violating theTenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Later that day before Breyer's ruling took effect, the9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals paused it and scheduled a hearing for June 17.[301][302]
After a three-day bench trial, Breyer ruled on September 2, 2025, that the Trump administration had violated thePosse Comitatus Act and ordered the administration not to use National Guard or military troops for civilian law enforcement in California. Breyer described the administration's actions and rhetoric of further domestic military deployments as an apparent attempt at "creating a national police force with the President as its chief" and described the rationale for deployment as contrived, writing that "There was no rebellion, nor was civilian law enforcement unable to respond to the protests and enforce the law".[47] Breyer issued an injunction covering all of California, blocking the use of the National Guard, though stayed the injunction until September 12 to give time for the government to appeal.[303]
The government appealed the ruling on September 3.[304]
| Pedro Vasquez Perdomo v. Kristi Noem | |
|---|---|
| Court | Central District of California |
| Started | 2025 |
| Docket nos. | 2:25-cv-05605 (CDCA) 25-4312 (9th Cir.) |
| Case history | |
| Appealed to | Ninth Circuit |
| Subsequent action | district ruling stayed by Supreme Court viashadow docket |
On July 2, 2025, the ACLU filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Trump administration over the ongoing ICE raids in Los Angeles,Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of five Los Angeles County residents—Pedro Vasquez Perdomo, Carlos Alexander Osorto, Isaac Villegas Molina, Jorge Hernandez Viramontes, and Jason Brian Gavidia—who had been stopped and detained by ICE agents in June. Joining the suit in favor of Vasquez Perdomo are multiple immigration advocacy groups, Los Angeles County, and the cities of Los Angeles, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Culver City, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Monterey Park, and West Hollywood. The suit claims that the Trump administration is engaging in unconstitutional roundups and raids without reasonable suspicion or probable cause based on perceived ethnicity, only arresting Hispanic individuals at places of work that predominantly hire Hispanic people, using disproportionate force in carrying immigration enforcement activities, and confining individuals without access to their attorneys.[305][306][307][308]
U.S. District JudgeMaame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong concluded on July 11 that those who brought the suit were likely to prove "the federal government is indeed conducting roving patrols without reasonable suspicion and denying access to lawyers". The judge ordered the Trump administration to stop immigration arrests without probable cause, alleging that it targeted California residents based on race, language and place of work. DHS was issued atemporary restraining order (TRO) effective immediately. The White House said the DOJ planned to appeal.[45][309]
TheUnited States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit heard arguments on appeal on July 28 by the DOJ regarding the issued TRO. Hearing the government's profile of roving detentive stops, the three-judge panel questioned the government's reasonable suspicion legal requirement for arrests. The district judge panel issued the appeal ruling on August 1, stating that the broad profile does not supply the reasonable suspicion required to justify a detentive stop: "Reasonable suspicion cannot be based on 'generalizations'" and "the four enumerated factors at issue—apparent race or ethnicity, speaking Spanish or speaking English with an accent, particular location, and type of work, even when considered together— describe only a broad profile and 'do not demonstrate reasonable suspicion for any particular stop'". The TRO would therefore remain in place.[310][46]
The judges also questioned the "quota" of 3,000 ICE arrests per day policy as it affects roving raids. The DOJ lawyers verified that no such official directive was issued, but that it was verbally issued by Deputy White House Chief of StaffStephen Miller through media interviews. The ACLU and its plaintiffs filed a motion for aninjunction with the district court; it is now scheduled for September 24.[46][311][312]
On August 7,Solicitor GeneralD. John Sauer filed an application of review with theUnited States Supreme Court to immediately halt judge Frimpong's TRO.[313] The Southern California cities of Long Beach, Pomona, South Gate, Lynwood, Huntington Park, Paramount, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and Oxnard joined LA in the lawsuit.[314]
On September 3,NBC News reported that the administration was violating the court order per immigrant advocates and local officials, and the ACLU submitted a new motion asking Frimpong to order additional evidence from the federal government "in light of apparent violations" of her order. Residents also filed additional individual lawsuits following continued raids.[315]
On September 7, The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in the solicitor generals appeal for astay, lifting the TRO restrictions. The case continues through the federal court.[316][317]
By July 23, federal prosecutors brought 38 felony cases against protestors but secured only seven indictments, with many being dismissed or reduced to misdemeanor charges.[48] By July 28, federal prosecutors had charged 26 protestors with assaulting or impeding federal law enforcement. Prosecutors were forced to drop at least eight felonies after US immigration officers made false and misleading testimony against protestors they had arrested, along with three others shortly afterwards. Out of nine assault and impeding cases brought forwards and promoted by Attorney General Pam Bondi, prosecutors dismissed seven soon after unveiling the charges. Reports that led to the arrest and prosecution of five demonstrators were dropped after DHS agents made false statements about the sequence of events and misrepresented incidents captured on video. One indictment named the wrong defendant. 18 additional cases had not been dismissed by July 28, in three of which protestors took plea deals. In at least six of the felony dismissals, the justice department refiled lower-level misdemeanors against the defendants.[318] TheLos Angeles Times reported that Trump-appointed US attorney for southern California,Bill Essayli, struggled to secure convictions at grand juries. It said Essayli's low number of indictments raised concerns among legal experts over the strength of the cases he was filing, and that he was stretching legal limits to "serve as President Trump's attack dog in L.A."[48]
Los Angeles mayorKaren Bass criticized the raids, stating that "[a]s Mayor of a proud city ofimmigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city",[62] later adding that "[w]e will not stand for this."[319] On June 7, she declared that "Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but ... violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable."[320] Bass also mentioned that Los Angeles was used as a "test case" by the federal government.[321] On June 11, Bass held a press conference flanked by over 30 elected officials from surrounding municipalities.[322]
TheLos Angeles County Sheriff's Department denied involvement in the raids.[323] The Los Angeles Police Department also denied involvement in civil immigration enforcement.[324]
Los Angeles FC fans held a silent protest atBMO Stadium for 90 minutes and displayedtifos criticizing the ICE raids during their June 8 game againstSporting Kansas City.[325]LA Galaxy fans stated that they would not travel to see the team on the road atPayPal Park against theSan Jose Earthquakes for their game on June 28 and cancelled viewing parties for their games on June 14 and 25 againstSt. Louis City SC and theColorado Rapids respectively.[326]
Los Angeles Metro stated that they would still run theDodger Stadium express fromUnion Station for the June 13, 14, and 15 games between theLos Angeles Dodgers andSan Francisco Giants despite the curfew and that fans returning from the game would not be subject to the curfew provided that they show proof of attendance such as their tickets.[327]
TheNational Hockey League stated that they were monitoring the situation in anticipation of the2025 NHL entry draft, which is set to take place at thePeacock Theater atL.A. Live on June 27 and 28.[328]
CONCACAF stated that they were also monitoring the situation in anticipation of the2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where games are set to be played atSoFi Stadium andDignity Health Sports Park. Concerns were also raised about the2025 FIFA Club World Cup games set to be played at theRose Bowl.[329][330]
California GovernorGavin Newsom condemned David Huerta's detention.[61] RepresentativesJimmy Gomez,Luz Rivas,Norma Torres, andLou Correa visited the detention center where the detained were held; Gomez alleged that they "didn't have access to food and water on a schedule" nor "access to their medicines".[62]
In a televised speech Newsom later criticized President Trump's decision to mobilize the California National Guard,[331] saying that it was "purposefully inflammatory" and that it would "only escalate tensions";[332][333] he also urged protesters to "never use violence" and to "speak out peacefully".[334] In response to Trump's authorization of an additional 2,000 National Guardsmen to be sent Los Angeles, Newsom described the move as "reckless" and "disrespectful to our troops".[19] According toThe New York Times,California Democrats had privately expressed concern that Trump would federalize the state's national guard, but acknowledged that their legal options would be limited.[335] TheFinancial Times wrote that the order to deploy National Guardsmen would "intensify tensions between the Trump administration and California".[336] California sued the Trump administration over the decision to bypass the governor in nationalizing the national guard.[337]
SenatorsAdam Schiff andAlex Padilla condemned the mobilization of the National Guard to Los Angeles. Padilla called the mobilization "a completely inappropriate and misguided mission", while Schiff described it as "unprecedented" and stated that the action "is designed to inflame tensions, sow chaos, and escalate the situation".[338]
On June 10, at 6:30 p.m. PDT,[339] Newsom delivered a primetime televised address to California and the nation to criticize Trump for sending National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, calling it an assault on democracy.[340][341]
TheTrump administration urgedDemocrats to condemn the protests and accused "the Left" of having incited the protests;[65] the DHS accused Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom of contributing to alleged violence.[75]Donald Trump later praised the National Guard.[343] In a speech atFort Bragg commemorating the 250th anniversary of theUnited States Army, Trump described the protesters as both "animals" and "a foreign enemy", stating that "we will liberate Los Angeles and make it free, clean, and safe again."[344] Trump posted on social media that protestors who spit at police will get "hit" and that "disrespect will not be tolerated".[345] US Vice PresidentJD Vance condemned the protests, calling the protesters "insurrectionists" and "far-left rioters",[346] and called for "decisive leadership".[347] He later took aim at Newsom, tweeting at him to "do your job".[348] House SpeakerMike Johnson said that Newsom should be "tarred and feathered".[349]
Secretary of Homeland SecurityKristi Noem warned that protesters would be prosecuted.[70]Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) directorKash Patel responded to Bass's tweet vowing to "not stand for this" with, "We will".[62]Todd Lyons, the actingDirector of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, criticized the Los Angeles Police Department for purportedly not responding to the protests for over two hours.[70]Dan Bongino, the deputy director of the FBI, stated that they would investigate the protests.[350]Stephen Miller, theWhite House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and theHomeland Security Advisor to the President, tweeted, "Deport the invaders, or surrender to insurrection."[351] Miller additionally claimed that if the protests continued, the United States would cease to exist.[53] According toThe Wall Street Journal, Miller coordinated the federal government response to the protests, giving orders to agencies including theDepartment of Defense.[352]
On June 5,Administrator of the Small Business AdministrationKelly Loeffler announced the relocation of theSBA's regional office in Los Angeles onX, citing the city "openly refusing to cooperate with ICE" efforts.[353] Two days prior, the House of Representatives had passed a bill requiring the SBA to relocate all offices from sanctuary cities, including Los Angeles.[354]
Vermont SenatorBernie Sanders denounced the Trump administration as moving the United States rapidly into the realm ofauthoritarianism.[355] Rhode Island SenatorJack Reed criticized Trump's decision to send 700 Marines to Los Angeles as an attempt to "us[e] the military as a political weapon".[356] Delaware SenatorChris Coons also criticized the deployment of U.S. Marines, stating, "It is unfortunate ... to mobilize U.S. Marines who are trained for the Pacific, not for the streets of Los Angeles." Both Coons and Connecticut SenatorChris Murphy accused the Trump administration of using the protests as a distraction from other matters, such as theOne Big Beautiful Bill Act.[357]
New York RepresentativeDan Goldman, Mississippi RepresentativeBennie Thompson, and formerU.S. Capitol Police officerHarry Dunn, the latter of whom was present during theJanuary 6 Capitol attack in 2021, accused the Trump administration of hypocrisy, perceiving a disparity between Trump's responses to the Capitol attack and the Los Angeles protests. Goldman stated, "Donald Trumppardoned 1,500 cop-beaters and insurrectionists, defied court orders, and weaponized prosecutions against his political opponents, yet he now pretends to care about 'law and order' when Americans protest his efforts to deport non-violent, non-criminal immigrants without due process."[358]
Conversely, Democratic SenatorJohn Fetterman accused the Democratic Party of not condemning violence within the protests, writing, "My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement."[359] Kentucky SenatorRand Paul criticized the Democratic Party's response to the protests as "appalling", stating, "You got a city on fire. You got people marching with foreign flags, people marching with a Mexican flag in L.A., resisting federal law, interfering with federal law. You have the governor and the mayor, both Democrats, saying they will interfere and will not uphold federal law." Arkansas SenatorTom Cotton called for "an overwhelming show of force to end the riots" in an op-ed inThe Wall Street Journal. Both Cotton and Florida SenatorRick Scott blamed Democrats for the protests.[357] Missouri senatorJosh Hawley, without evidence, accusedCHIRLA andUnión del Barrio of "aiding and abetting criminal conduct" by "bankrolling civil unrest".[360]
After protesters vandalized and set fiveWaymo self-driving cars alight on June 8, the company responded by shutting down service to downtown Los Angeles[111] and limiting service in San Francisco.[361]
TheParty for Socialism and Liberation (PSL)[362] and the Los Angeles chapter of theDemocratic Socialists of America (DSA)[363] declared their support for the protestors. PSL promoted and organized protests on June 8,[362][11] while DSA promoted protests for June 9 and 10.[363][10]Revolutionary Communists of America members also attended the protests.[12]
Satirical news websiteThe Onion published articles parodying the local and federal government responses to the protests. Following Trump's advocacy for Governor Newsom's arrest on June 9,[137]The Onion published "ICE Releases Gavin Newsom Beheading Video", satirizingIslamic State beheadings.[364] Another article, "Protesters Urged Not To Give Trump Administration Pretext For What It Already Doing",[365] followed Mayor Bass' June 11 address.[322]
AYouGov poll of 4,200 U.S. adults conducted on June 9 found that 36% approved of the protests, while 45% disapproved, and 19% were unsure. The same poll found that 34% approved of Trump's deployment of U.S. Marines to the area, while 47% disapproved, and that 38% approved of his deployment of the National Guard, while 45% disapproved.[359][366]
The governments or consulates of Australia, Canada, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, and the United Kingdom have issued advisories to their citizens in Los Angeles in response to the protests.[367][368][369][370][371] The government of Hong Kong also warned citizens travelling to the United States to practice safety precautions amid ongoing protests.[372][373][374]
The Iranian government used the protests to mock the Trump administration, with an account affiliated with theIslamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces posting an image of protestors carrying Mexican flags, captioned "Make Mexico Great Again!".[375] TheTehran Times published a headline reading "Make America Quashed Again", parodying the Trump slogan "Make America Great Again".[375][376]
A half-dozen left-wing organizations also coordinated to protest in Los Angeles, among them Indivisible and the L.A. chapter of Democratic Socialists of America
At the El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument near downtown L.A., Mia Jimenez, 22, stood with a megaphone slung over her shoulder with four other members of the Revolutionary Communists of America's L.A. chapter.
The demonstrations have been largely peaceful, though outbreaks of violence over the weekend and on Monday resulted in arrests.
Los Angeles police said that while the protests have mostly been peaceful, some violence has occurred.
A mostly peaceful series of demonstrations were marred, as night fell, by more serious acts of vandalism and violence.
Unlike the 1992 riots, protests have mainly been peaceful and been confined to a roughly five-block stretch of downtown LA, a tiny patch in the sprawling city of nearly 4 million people. No one has died. There's been vandalism and some cars set on fire but no homes or buildings have burned.
The protests of 2025 bear little if any comparison to the widespread upheaval and violence of 1992. The protesters have directed their anger mainly at ICE agents, not at fellow residents, and the demonstrations have so far done relatively little damage to buildings or businesses.
They have shared images and videos of the most violent episodes — focusing particularly on examples of protesters lashing out at federal agents — even as many remained peaceful.
Misleading photographs, videos and text have spread widely on social media as protests against immigrant raids have unfolded in Los Angeles, rehashing old conspiracy theories and expressing support for President Trump's actions. The flood of falsehoods online appeared intended to stoke outrage toward immigrants and political leaders, principally Democrats. Many posts created the false impression that the entire city was engulfed in violence, when the clashes were limited to only a small part.
In reality, the anti-Trump protests – called first in response to aggressive federal roundups of undocumented immigrants, then in anger at the national guard deployment – have been largely peaceful and restricted to just a few blocks around downtown federal buildings.
The protests against the raids have become the latest focal point in a national debate over immigration, protest rights, and the use of federal force in domestic affairs. It also has fueled discussion on the boundaries of presidential power and the public's right to dissent.
the cycle of protest, violence and repression often benefits the political right, even when the unrest is fanned by the government itself. In Los Angeles neither the local police department, nor the mayor or the governor thought the presence of the National Guard would help restore order. But to point that out is to misunderstand why Mr Trump ordered troops in. That was to create confrontation.
Late on Sunday night, the LAPD tweeted that there were reports of looting at 6th Street and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.
Well before curfew, the Los Angeles police has surrounded the protest with weapons and batons drawn, and declared the assembly unlawful. They just released officers on horseback into the crowd
The 8pm curfew has come into effect in downtown Los Angeles, where police have been charging at protesters on horseback and firing munitions in an attempt to clear them, according to footage posted online by local reporters. Other videos showed officers pushing protesters and hitting them with batons.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)大陸新華社記者手臂上中了一發催淚彈，攝影記者左腿被橡皮子彈擊中，出現紅腫傷痕。[A reporter for the mainland's Xinhua News Agency was hit by a tear gas canister in his arm, and a cameraman was hit by a rubber bullet in his left leg, resulting in a red, swollen wound.]
有新华社记者在现场两次被催泪弹击中，面部皮肤灼痛，泪流满面。新华社一名摄影报道员被橡胶子弹击中小腿，腿上出现红肿，肿痛逐渐加剧。[A Xinhua News Agency reporter was hit twice by tear gas canisters at the scene, and his facial skin burned and he burst into tears. A Xinhua News Agency photographer was hit in the calf by a rubber bullet, causing redness and swelling on his leg, which gradually increased.]
Mena, a crime reporter with the LA Daily News, and videographer Sean Beckner-Carmitchel, reported being shot with nonlethal rounds while covering the protests on Friday evening. "Homeland Security agents shot me and other journalists with pepper ball bullets yesterday in Los Angeles,"
Protests in Los Angeles against raids on suspected undocumented immigrants have turned into the strongest domestic backlash against President Donald Trump since he took office in January.
The protests allowed Trump to tout his hardline immigration policies while claiming California was helpless to stop the violence without his intervention.
So far, the demonstrations now — relatively small, scattered and generally peaceful — bear little resemblance to the mass protests of 2020, which in some cases devolved into destructive riots.
As National Guardsmen and Marines descend on L.A., the loudest voices in the MAGA media ecosystem are urging Trump to make an example out of anyone who stands in the way of mass deportations. With protests spreading to other cities, the list of demands is growing: Deploy the military. Arrest Democrats. Expel not just undocumented immigrants, but even legal residents who oppose the crackdown.
This is more than typical Trumpian hyperbole. There's a long tradition of autocratic-style leaders creating or exaggerating public-order incidents to justify the use of the military.
Now, a visual communications strategy meant to encourage immigrants without legal status to leave the United States has melded into a militarized pressure campaign that also appears devised to discourage dissent, experts said.
But Trump's stated rationale, legal scholars say, appears to be a flimsy and even contrived basis for such a rare and dramatic step. The real purpose, they worry, may be to amass more power over blue states that have resisted Trump's deportation agenda. And the effect, whether intentional or not, may be to inflame the tension in L.A., potentially leading to a vicious cycle in which Trump calls up even more troops or broadens their mission.
Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable
The House passed a bill Thursday that would remove Small Business Administration offices from "sanctuary cities" that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, like New York, Boston, Denver and Chicago.
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