Los Angeles (TDI): Violent riots erupted across Los Angeles following President Donald Trump’s controversial move to send 2,000 National Guard troops on Saturday, which was followed by additional deployment of 2,000 troops and 700 Marines, on Monday.
The troops were deployed after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 121 illegal immigrants in one day, 44 from worksites and 77 from the greater LA area, primarily targeting Latino-dominant communities such as Westlake and Paramount, where over 82% of the population is Hispanic.
The deployment of military forces, conducted in the absence of the governor’s request, has drawn backlash from California’s officials and triggered legal action, turning the protests into a broader battle over immigration, civil rights, and states’ rights.
What began on Friday as peaceful protests over ICE raids quickly turned into chaos as tensions escalated across downtown LA, Paramount, and Compton. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared downtown an “unlawful assembly” zone after protesters shut down the 101 freeway, set self-driving vehicles on fire, and clashed with police.
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Authorities reported 29 arrests on Saturday and 27 more on Sunday, while an additional 60 protesters were held in custody near San Francisco. Protesters allegedly attacked the Federal Building, where ICE detainees were believed to be held, prompting the deployment of tear gas and flash-bang grenades.
Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump’s deployment “illegal” and accused him of “putting fuel on the fire,” citing the Tenth Amendment in a lawsuit against the federal government. California Attorney General Rob Bonta described the action as “an inflammatory escalation unsupported by conditions on the ground.”
Meanwhile, the National Guard and active-duty marines were stationed to protect ICE and DHS agents, not to enforce immigration raids or engage in civil policing, raising further concerns about federal overreach.
Trump’s aggressive stance towards immigrants and deployment of the military resulted in national division, sparking fear and anger among immigrants. What began as enforcement has now evolved into a confrontation over rights, power, and identity.
The Diplomatic Insight is a digital and print magazine focusing on diplomacy, defense, and development publishing since 2009.
