Summary
Protests in Los Angeles over recent ICE operations escalated into chaos after President Trump deployed the National Guard without California Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent. Over four days, demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, setting self-driving cars ablaze, hurling concrete and fireworks, and blocking the 101 Freeway. Law enforcement responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and mass arrests. Governor Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass condemned the federal deployment, calling it a violation of state sovereignty and an attempt to provoke unrest. Meanwhile, federal officials insisted the actions were necessary to ensure public safety during ICE raids, which have led to over 100 arrests. Critics, including Rep. Maxine Waters and former Vice President Kamala Harris, accused the Trump administration of using fear and militarisation for political gain.
L.A. Protests Against ICE Enter Day Four
“Protests in Los Angeles against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids carried into a fourth day Monday,” reported CBS News. Tensions peaked Sunday when “thousands of protesters took to the streets in response to President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard,” shutting down a major freeway and “setting self-driving cars on fire.”
California Sues Trump Over National Guard Deployment
The Trump administration’s decision to deploy federal troops without consulting Governor Gavin Newsom led to legal action. “The state of California on Monday sued the Trump administration for deploying the Guard without consulting Gov. Gavin Newsom,” CBS stated. Newsom called the move “illegal and immoral” and declared, “We’re suing him.”
Related News : Protester’s Viral 3-Word Reaction to Tear Gas at LA Anti-ICE Demonstration
Dozens Arrested as Protests Turn Violent
As of Monday midday, authorities had made 53 arrests. “The LAPD said it had arrested 31 people… California Highway Patrol had arrested 17 people and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department made five arrests.” Charges ranged from “failure to disperse” to “looting and arson.”
Police Chief: ‘We Can’t Participate in Civil Immigration Enforcement’
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell reminded the public that his department cannot assist federal immigration operations due to SB 54: “We can’t participate in any way in civil immigration enforcement,” he said, referring to California’s sanctuary city law.
Police Respond with Crowd-Control Weapons
By Sunday night, police declared an unlawful assembly and began clearing the streets. Protesters “threw objects at police from behind a makeshift barrier” and targeted California Highway Patrol officers with “concrete, rocks, electric scooters and fireworks.” Officers “ran under an overpass to take cover.”
Property Damage: Fires, Graffiti, and Broken Windows
CBS reported “several fires were set in dumpsters and trash bins,” with widespread property damage. “Dozens of buildings were tagged with graffiti, including the LAPD Headquarters, the U.S. Courthouse and the old Los Angeles Times building.”
Footage Captures Destruction at LAPD HQ
CBS helicopter footage showed “multiple windows of the police headquarters had been shattered.” San Francisco also experienced unrest: “Thousands participated in demonstrations today… At the very end of the night, two small groups broke off and committed vandalism.”
Third and Most Intense Day of Demonstrations
Centered downtown, Sunday marked the “third and most intense day of demonstrations.” Around “300 Guard troops” were deployed to protect federal buildings like the “downtown detention center.”
‘Overwhelmed’ Police Face Masked Agitators
McDonnell said police were “overwhelmed” and claimed protesters included “regular agitators who show up… to cause trouble.” President Trump replied on Truth Social, “Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!”
Waymo Cars Set Ablaze as Freeway Blocked
Protesters set fire to “at least four self-driving Waymo cars,” sending “large plumes of black smoke” skyward. Others blocked the 101 Freeway until “state patrol officers cleared them from the roadway.”
More Troops and Marines Sent to L.A.
“Another 2,000 members of the California National Guard” were mobilized, with “about 700 active-duty Marines” also activated, CBS reported. The Marines, stationed in Twentynine Palms, were expected to arrive in L.A. by Tuesday. Newsom vowed to sue over their deployment too.
Protests Sparked by ICE Raids in Latino Areas
Demonstrations began Friday after “federal agents arrested immigrants in LA’s fashion district, in a Home Depot parking lot and at several other locations.” Raids spread to Paramount and Compton. “The weeklong tally of immigrant arrests… climbed above 100.”
Newsom to Trump: Remove the Troops
Newsom formally requested Trump “remove the guard members,” calling the deployment “a serious breach of state sovereignty.” He said it was “the first time in decades” that a president activated the Guard without a governor’s consent.
Bass: ‘This is About Another Agenda’
Mayor Karen Bass accused the administration of “provoking chaos.” She stated, “This is about another agenda, this isn’t about public safety.”
LAPD: We Weren’t Informed of the Raids
McDonnell refuted claims that the LAPD failed to help federal authorities. “His department responded as quickly as it could,” CBS noted, “and had not been notified in advance of the raids.”
Newsom: Trump ‘A Stone-Cold Liar’
On MSNBC, Newsom said Trump “never floated deploying the Guard” during a Friday call. He mocked Trump’s premature social media post congratulating the Guard before their arrival, calling him “a stone-cold liar.”
White House: Newsom’s Claim is ‘A Bald-Faced Lie’
The administration responded aggressively. “It’s a bald-faced lie for Newsom to claim there was no problem in Los Angeles before President Trump got involved,” said White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson.
Maxine Waters and Kamala Harris Slam the Deployment
Congresswoman Maxine Waters called the federal response “outrageous” and accused Trump of using deportation “to enhance his position with… right-wingers.” She added, “I think he’s up to creating martial law.”
Kamala Harris, former VP and California AG, called the Guard’s presence “a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos.” She said the administration’s agenda “is not about public safety — they’re about stoking fear.”
Context: How This Compares to Past Unrest
While intense, CBS noted the protests “didn’t reach the size of past demonstrations” such as the Watts Riots, Rodney King unrest, or the 2020 George Floyd protests. The last time a president activated the National Guard without state consent was in 1965 under LBJ.
