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Trump orders troops to Los Angeles to combat violent protests against immigration enforcement

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement action was part of Trump's tougher policy to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants, which has fueled opposition in immigrant enclaves.

  • Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to combat violent protesters opposed to immigration enforcement.
  • Concrete-hurling protesters clashed June 6 and 7 with helmeted police in riot gear who protected federal agents.

President Donald Trump ordered thousands of National Guard troops to help quell violent protests against immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, where helmeted police in riot gear clashed with concrete-hurling protesters who opposed tougher federal actions against undocumented immigrants.

The clash spanning June 6 and 7 marked one of the most serious confrontations yet between agents carrying out Trump’s directives on mass arrests and deportations, and local officials who oppose the stricter enforcement measures.

Some protesters hurled large chunks of broken concrete at officers, slashed tires and defaced buildings, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityPolice declared an unlawful assembly and responded by firing tear gas, pepper spray and flash-bang concussion rounds toward the crowd.

Trump signed a memo June 7 deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. The Trump administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their job, she said.

"Left-wing radicals waving foreign flags are viciously attacking ICE and Border Patrol agents and obstructing official law enforcement activities in Los Angeles," Leavitt said in a statement. "The mob violence will be quelled, the criminals responsible will be brought to justice, and operations to arrest illegal aliens will continue unabated."

The clash enflamed an ongoing feud between federal and state officials. Trump said on social media June 7 that federal authorities needed to step in because of the inaction of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

"If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!" Trump said.

Newsom criticized the military deployment on social media, saying local police are available at a moment’s notice.

“That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions,” Newsom said. “This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.”

 

Members of security forces operate during a standoff between police and protesters following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in the Los Angeles County city of Paramount, California, on June 7, 2025.
Members of security forces operate during a standoff between police and protesters following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in the Los Angeles County city of Paramount, California, on June 7, 2025. DANIEL COLE, REUTERS

 

Los Angeles protests follow ICE crackdown

The Department of Homeland Security said 118 undocumented immigrants were arrested during the week in Los Angeles, including five alleged gang members and others with criminal records for smuggling, drug trafficking and assault.

Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said agents were outnumbered June 6 for hours as more than 1,000 rioters surrounded the federal building.

 
 
 

“What took place in Los Angeles yesterday was appalling,” Lyons said in a statement June 7.

Lyons, who vowed to continue the enforcement action, accused Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of taking “the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.”

 

Members of law enforcement operate amidst a standoff between police and protesters following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in the Los Angeles County city of Paramount, California, on June 7, 2025.
Members of law enforcement operate amidst a standoff between police and protesters following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in the Los Angeles County city of Paramount, California, on June 7, 2025. DANIEL COLE, REUTERS

 

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said city policy since 1979 has barred officers from initiating police action based solely on trying to determine a person’s immigration status. He said the department “will not assist or participate in any sort of mass deportations.”

“I’m aware that these activities cause anxiety for many Angelenos, so I want to make it clear: the LAPD is not involved in civil immigration enforcement,” McDonnell said in a statement June 6.

LA mayor: 'We will not stand for this'

Bass said she was “deeply angered” about the enforcement actions and that she would coordinate with immigrant-rights organizations.

“These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city,” Bass said in a statement June 6. “We will not stand for this.”

"We will," FBI Director Kash Patel replied on social media June 7.

 

A car burns in flames following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in the Los Angeles County city of Paramount, California, U.S. on June 7, 2025.
A car burns in flames following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in the Los Angeles County city of Paramount, California, U.S. on June 7, 2025. DANIEL COLE, REUTERS

 

Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks highlighted on social media how a rock pierced the windshield of an agent's vehicle and injured him.

"Imagine if more had followed," Banks said. "This incident is a stark reminder of the real dangers our agents face every day. Thankfully, it wasn’t worse − but it easily could’ve been."

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino asked for the public's help in identifying a helmeted protester who threw rocks at police cars.

"And yes, multiple arrests have already been made for obstructing our operations. More are coming," Bongino said on social media. "We are pouring through the videos for more perpetrators. You bring chaos, and we’ll bring handcuffs. Law and order will prevail."

 

Police officers stand guard as protesters gather around the Los Angeles Federal Building following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025.
Police officers stand guard as protesters gather around the Los Angeles Federal Building following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025. Daniel Cole, REUTERS

 

Union leader arrested, detained by ICE

One of the skirmishes involved the arrest of a union leader, David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union of California, who was injured and detained by ICE at one site.

The union said Huerta was arrested "while exercising his First Amendment right to observe and document law enforcement activity."

"We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice,” Huerta said in a post on social media. “This is injustice."

 

Protesters stand near a car burning in flames following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in the Los Angeles County city of Paramount, California, on June 7, 2025.
Protesters stand near a car burning in flames following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in the Los Angeles County city of Paramount, California, on June 7, 2025. DANIEL COLE, REUTERS

 

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli accused Huerta of deliberately obstructing federal agents at a worksite. Huerta will be arraigned in federal court June 9, Essayli said.

“Let me be clear: I don’t care who you are – if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted,” Essayli said in a post on social media. “No one has the right to assault, obstruct, or interfere with federal authorities carrying out their duties.”

Federal authorities said they would continue their enforcement actions despite the protests in Los Angeles and across the country.

ICE announced June 6 that nearly 1,500 undocumented immigrants were arrested in Massachusetts during a monthlong Operation Patriot.

Author: Bart Jansen, USA TODAY

Source: USA Today

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