Los Angeles Protests Against Immigration Agents Intensify as Trump Deploys National Guard

US President Donald Trump's administration has deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles as federal agents confront protesters over immigration raids. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the decision "purposefully inflammatory." The protests pit Democratic-run Los Angeles against Trump's Republican White House, which has made cracking down on immigration a hallmark of his second term.

Los Angeles, June 8, 2025 — Tensions escalated in Los Angeles as federal agents confronted protesters over immigration raids, leading to a chaotic scene and the deployment of National Guard troops by the Trump administration. The protests, which began on Saturday, have continued to draw large crowds, including children, to the streets of the city.

The protests were sparked by immigration raids conducted by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) across Los Angeles. On Friday, ICE agents detained hundreds of people at the Edward Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles [1]. The raids also targeted multiple workplaces in the fashion district and other local areas, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.

The situation intensified on Saturday when protesters gathered in Paramount, a city with a significant Latino population, after reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were targeting people at a Home Depot. The protests led to a chaotic confrontation with federal agents, resulting in at least one injury and the declaration of an unlawful assembly [1].

The chaos was further compounded by the deployment of National Guard troops by President Trump's administration. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the decision, calling it "purposefully inflammatory" [2]. The deployment has been seen as a move to bolster federal efforts to crack down on immigration, a key policy of the Trump administration.

The protests have pitted Democratic-run Los Angeles against the Republican White House, with Mayor Karen Bass condemning the ICE raids and the lack of communication from federal authorities. Bass stated, "These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city" [1].

The situation has drawn widespread attention, with various political figures and community leaders calling for calm and peaceful protest. However, the protests have been marked by clashes with federal agents, with some protesters throwing objects at vehicles and trying to block vans [1].

The Trump administration has maintained that the immigration raids are part of a broader effort to target criminal illegal aliens, including gang members, drug traffickers, and those with a history of assault and domestic violence [1]. The administration has vowed to continue the operations and hold protesters accountable for any violence.

The situation in Los Angeles highlights the ongoing debate over immigration policies and the role of federal law enforcement in enforcing them. The protests and the deployment of National Guard troops have raised concerns about the potential for further violence and the impact on the local economy and communities.

References:
[1] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-07/paramount-home-depot
[2] https://abcnews.go.com/US/protests-erupt-immigration-raids-los-angeles/story?id=122604723