California immigration protests turn violent as Trump orders Guard deployment in Los Angeles

President Donald Trump has deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles County following days of large-scale protests sparked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, with at least 300 troops already on the ground downtown, according to the offices of California Governor Gavin Newsom and the White House. The move has ignited a major political confrontation over state-federal authority and the use of military forces in domestic unrest.

What happened during the LA immigration protests?

On Friday, June 6, federal immigration officers launched coordinated enforcement operations across Los Angeles, detaining 44 individuals at multiple locations including the fashion district and a Home Depot in Westlake. The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California reported that children were among those held, prompting rapid escalation in public demonstrations. Crowds quickly gathered outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, where some protesters threw objects at vehicles and attempted to block ICE vans from leaving the premises.

By evening, the Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly after incidents involving thrown concrete and fireworks. LAPD used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators and confirmed 11 arrests for failing to comply with dispersal orders.

On Saturday, protests spread to surrounding areas, notably Paramount and Compton. Law enforcement sources confirmed that federal agents fired flash-bang grenades and pepper balls in response to escalating tensions. At least two civilians were injured, and one vehicle was set on fire before being extinguished by emergency services.

Why did Trump federalize the California National Guard?

On Saturday evening, President Trump signed a presidential memorandum invoking Title 10 of the U.S. Code to federalize 2,000 California National Guard members. The White House said the action aimed to counter “lawlessness” and violent resistance to federal law enforcement. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused California’s Democratic leadership of allowing unrest to escalate unchecked.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the urgency of the deployment, stating that the Guard was being mobilized “IMMEDIATELY,” and warned that active-duty U.S. Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton were on “high alert” and could be activated if violence persisted.

Despite these assertions, only 300 National Guard troops had arrived in Los Angeles by Sunday morning, as confirmed by Governor Gavin Newsom’s office. The deployment remains significantly below the federal plan.

What are state officials saying about the federal intervention?

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the federal order, calling it a “purposefully inflammatory” move and a federal overreach into state jurisdiction. In a public statement, Newsom said California authorities were well-equipped to manage local unrest without military involvement, emphasizing coordination with city and county law enforcement.

Mayor Karen Bass expressed alarm over the immigration enforcement tactics used in the initial raids, calling them “deeply destabilizing” to immigrant communities already struggling in the wake of a recent natural disaster. She urged protesters to remain peaceful and warned that violence and destruction would be prosecuted without exception.

The LAPD clarified that protests within the city limits on Saturday remained largely peaceful, though it acknowledged deploying officers and dispersal tools when demonstrators refused to leave designated areas after multiple warnings.

How did federal agencies and leaders justify the crackdown?

Federal agencies framed the unrest as a national security issue. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said on Sunday that individuals who interfered with lawful federal enforcement actions would be prosecuted at the federal level, including on charges of obstruction and assault on federal officers. He warned that “violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated.”

Homeland Security, through a post on X, reiterated that its agents were conducting lawful operations and that violence by demonstrators would be met with a firm response.

House Speaker Mike Johnson publicly supported Trump’s decision, stating on national television that the President had “both the authority and the responsibility” to act in the face of deteriorating law and order. He added that deploying the military to protect federal personnel and property is within the executive’s constitutional mandate.

What is the legal context behind the Guard deployment?

The federalization of National Guard troops under Title 10 does not require a state’s consent. However, it differs from invoking the Insurrection Act, which authorizes broader use of military force in civilian settings. While the Insurrection Act has not been cited, some constitutional law experts caution that deploying military units into a state without local support sets a dangerous precedent.

Historically, similar deployments occurred during the 1992 Los Angeles riots and in select instances of disaster response, but political opposition from state leaders in this case has heightened the legal stakes and polarized public reaction.

What’s next for Los Angeles and national immigration policy?

As of June 8, law enforcement and Guard troops remain on standby, with further protests expected Sunday evening. Authorities have not ruled out extending troop presence or involving active-duty Marines if tensions escalate. The Department of Justice has confirmed that operations will continue in Los Angeles County in the coming days.

Meanwhile, civil rights groups, including the ACLU, have raised concerns over access to legal representation for detainees and the lack of transparency around federal arrest protocols. Immigration advocates argue that the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation strategy threatens the safety and stability of immigrant communities.

Officials at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles confirmed that federal charges are being prepared for some individuals arrested during the protests, including potential counts related to assault, property damage, and obstructing law enforcement.

Broader context: Why Los Angeles became a flashpoint

Los Angeles County has long been one of the most prominent sanctuary jurisdictions in the United States, with policies that limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Its large undocumented population and complex urban geography make it both a strategic and symbolic target for federal enforcement operations.

The clash between federal authorities and state and city leadership underscores deeper fault lines in American immigration policy—particularly the balance of power between states’ rights and federal authority in matters of public safety, civil unrest, and immigration control.

As of this writing, no fatalities have been reported. Local officials remain in contact with federal agencies to coordinate crowd control and emergency medical services, and legal observers are monitoring detentions and arrests for potential civil liberties violations.