Los Angeles descended into chaos Sunday as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids escalated into violent clashes, prompting President Trump to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops.
The unrest, now in its third day, saw self-driving Waymo taxis torched, freeways blocked, and repeated confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement using tear gas and rubber bullets.
LAPD officially declared the downtown area an “unlawful assembly” zone late Sunday after protesters smashed windows, looted businesses, and launched fireworks at officers.
The crisis began Friday outside the Federal Building after ICE arrested 118 undocumented immigrants across LA and by Sunday, protests had spread citywide with demonstrators carrying Mexican flags and anti-ICE signs.
Particularly destructive scenes included a row of Waymo vehicles vandalized and set ablaze, patrol cars damaged by thrown e-scooters on the 110 Freeway, multiple businesses looted according to LAPD reports, a shirtless driver arrested after plowing into protesters.
Trump Circumvents Newsom to Federalize National Guard
President Trump invoked Title 10 USC 12406 to bypass Governor Gavin Newsom and deploy National Guard forces to Los Angeles, marking an unprecedented federal intervention in California law enforcement.
The first troops staged outside an ICE detention center Sunday morning, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatening to mobilize Marines from Camp Pendleton if violence continues.
Newsom immediately condemned the move as “illegal and immoral,” vowing to challenge the deployment in federal court while blaming Trump for inflaming tensions.
Journalists Injured in Crackdown
The violence claimed unexpected victims when an Australian reporter was struck by rubber bullets and a British photographer required emergency surgery after being hit by non-lethal rounds. LAPD confirmed 56 total arrests across both days, while San Francisco reported 60 additional detentions in related demonstrations.
Trump doubled down on his hardline stance Sunday night, posting on Truth Social: “Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!” The White House defended the move, accusing Newsom of “feckless leadership” in failing to protect law enforcement. Civil rights leaders like LULAC’s Jose Barrera warned the military presence sets a “dangerous precedent” and deliberately inflames tensions in Latino communities.
Why It Matters
Trump’s invocation of Title 10 USC 12406—typically reserved for insurrections or natural disasters—will face immediate legal challenges. The provision allows federalization of National Guard troops when state authorities fail to protect constitutional rights, a claim California officials vehemently deny.
Meanwhile, with lawsuits imminent and Marines on standby at Camp Pendleton, the coming days will test both constitutional boundaries and the city’s fragile social fabric.
